Show SUMMER SUl PLAY GROUNDS AS CRIME IE PREVENTIVES Since the play grounds were started here three years ago not a single boy or girl in active attendance has lias caused caused the probation probation probation pro pro- bation department any trouble Two years ago we noticed a 25 to 30 per perr cent decrease in delinquency which we attribute to the playgrounds This significant statement made by a probation officer in Orange County California is not without many precedents It proves that properly equipped and directed playgrounds are not of alone childs play but have a genuine moral and social purpose The first great experiment in supervised play was made mode i in n Roston Boston about the year 1906 The results spread until now nearly cities have year-round year playground programs and supervision and thousands of communities have shorter periods but working toward the definite goal of adequacy A certain juvenile judge is quoted as saying Well Vell ell I can cango cango I go on a vacation this summer Asked why he made the remark remark re re- re- re mark The playgrounds have opened I Juvenile delinquency is only one of the many reasons why recreation should be placed on a systematic basis for b youth youth- Safety is another The greatest however is to t o give proper out let for the n natural tural instincts of children If they have a place to engage in wholesome non-commercialized non play they will not get into things that not wholesome are All human beings seek ex ex- There being no social vacuum the good will come court out naturally when there is no room for the bad These instincts in in- instincts will not and can not be suppressed It is a question over which all thinking people should not pass pas lightly Conditions have changed and if we do not provide these o opportunities for I wholesome expression and outlets for forr these natural impulses there will be trouble one way or another another- We Ve can not take away the fashioned chores wood chopping chopping chopp chopp- I IVe i ing and the many menial tasks that were relegated to youth in inthe inthe the old days and then expect exp ct our children to fold their arms and I be good when they have nothing else to do It just isn't done I The answers are playgrounds recreation art research h camping drama music and woodcraft and the many accomplishments accomplishments for artistic nature and competent skill for which children are eager Delinquency has no place in these busy ac ac- ac- ac d k |