Recreation Work Problems of Park Boards 



By Theodore Wirth, Minnesota 



The recreation uurk which park administrations of 

 today are conducting, has lirought with it a number of 

 problems, which, for many, and probably all of us, 

 are difficult to solve. To bring about the acquisition 

 of lands for desirable park play grounds and their im- 

 provement and equipment, seems comparatively easy 

 compared with the question of securing the necessary 

 means for their proper and eflicient maintenance, in 

 order to meet the ci.mstantly stimulated and ever increas- 

 ing demand for all kinds of service. 



To make our park possessions the recreation grounds 

 of our people, in the fullest sense of the word, is the aim 

 of all progressive park administrations of today. The 

 pulilic deriving the benefit from parks and play 

 grounds, generally speaking, is willing to pay for the 

 cost of the acquisition, improvement and maintenance. 



Recreation, if I untlerstand the meaning of the word, 

 means many things. It means the refreshment of 

 strength and spirit after toil in the pursuit of our daily 

 vocations. It means diversion, amusement and exer- 

 cise of one kind or another. It means rest, relief, re- 

 laxation, regeneration. Recreation to some of us is 

 one thing; to others it is something else; and we park 

 builders and supervisors have it within our power to 

 ])r(>\ ide it all. It is our duty to see that we do not 

 willingly, or even unknowingly, discriminate in favor 

 of one to the detriment of the other. 



We all know that the playground movement, as most 

 of us call it, has made tremendous progress in the last 

 ten vears; and I have often felt of late, that, in our 

 aim and zeal to satisfy the demands of the people, and 

 <jur own ambition to lead, we are pr)ssil)ly over-reach- 

 ing in some instances the real needs in that direction, 

 and may be using for these purposes an unfair propor- 

 tion of the limited means at our disposal to the neg- 

 lect of iither things i)erhai)s fully as important, ^^'e are 

 ajd to overdo some special features and lose sight of 

 others equally deserving of merit. Let us not forget 

 that exercise and play are only a part of the recreation 

 programme, which the laws of nature have mapped 

 out for us to follow. 



I am, and always have been, a strong adxncate of 

 making [tublic park> the free recreation grounds of the 

 people with as few restrictions as possible. I mean all 

 the people. Parks are for rest as well as exercise. By 

 all means let us provide for our children to the fullest 

 extent within reason, but in doing so, we must not 

 overlook the needs and rights of the fathers and moth- 

 ers and other grown-ups who are still among us. and 

 whose recreation calls f<ir rest rather than exercise. 



On account of insufficient funds, it is impossible 

 for most of our park administrations to meet all the 

 demands of the public for the numerous recreation 

 activities. There is almost no limit to the service that 

 could be rendered if the necessary means were always 

 available. Admitting that all service demanded is at least 

 desirable, let us ask ourselves the question — Is it feas- 

 ible and justifiable that the cost of all such service be 

 covered by a general tax. Undoubtedly there is a di- 

 versity of o])inion on this question amongst us. and to 

 bring the subject up for discussicm, I express my opin- 

 ion that to tax the entire cost of all service rendered 

 against the general taxpayer is as unfair as it is un- 

 necessary. I present three main reasons for this con- 

 tention. 



Pii-st — A large percentage of the taxpayers cannot 



Paper read before American Association of Park Siiperintendents' con- 

 vention, San i'rancisco, Cal. 



and tlo not, for one reason or ancither, make use ui all 

 of the facilities offered and provided, and consequently 

 do not derive the full benefit to which they are en- 

 titled. 



Second — I believe it to be an unwise policy to foster 

 to the extreme the idea of the free use of all facilities 

 that may be offered. To give everything free will re- 

 sult to a great degree in the careless and reckless use 

 of such privileges and will lessen the appreciation and 

 value of the service rendered. 



Third — The users of certain facilities can well af- 

 ford to pay a small fee, and so help to maintain the 

 service from which they receive special benefits. 



I believe it is possible to draw^ a line between what 

 we may call general service and special service in our 

 recreation work. 



Under general service, I class all constructive work 

 necessary to ])ro\-ide the facilities, namely, the acqui- 

 sition of grounds; their improvement and equipment, 

 so thev may answer the purpose for \vhich they have 

 been acquired. 



This general service must also inclu<le the regular 

 maintenance work necessary to keep such grouncis in 

 ser\iceable condition. 



We have, therefore, under this form of service, pro- 

 vided for all such things as lawns, plantings, flower 

 beds, roadways, walks, bridges, benches, tables, lights, 

 drinking fountains, shelters, buildings of all kinds, 

 play grounds, and their apparatus, etc., and we main- 

 tain them in serviceable condition. 



Under special service, I place certain accommoda- 

 tions and facilities, which 1 lielieve should not be fur- 

 nished gratis, and for wliich a nominal charge should 

 he made. They are as fallows: 



Bathing Service — The use of the bath-house accom- 

 modations should be free, l)ut a nominal charge should 

 lie made for the use of bathing suits, caps, towels, and 

 such incidentals suj^plied Ijy the department. Those 

 wh(_) bring their own suits and towels have, therefore, 

 absolute free service. 



Boating .Service — The lakes and rivers under the 

 jurisdiction of Park authorities are, of course, the same 

 as a highway. Any one can put his boat on the water 

 and use the same in compliance with existing rules. 

 Charges, however, should be made for the season for 

 the use of platforms, racks, and lockers built for the 

 landing and storage of private boats and other equip- 

 ment, and for their special police protection. Boats 

 and launches let out liy the department, should, of 

 course, be rented at a nominal price per hour, or trip. 



Tennis Court Service — ^\ here there are a number of 

 courts together, I believe it would be well to furnish 

 the nets and charge a iKnninal fee for the use of same 

 per hour. This would not only help to maintain the 

 courts, but would also facilitate the enforcement of the 

 rules and protect the rights of all comers to get the use 

 of them. 



Skating and Toboggan .Service — The renting out of 

 skates and toboggans to the public is an accommoda- 

 tion well worth a nominal fee from those who use 

 them. 



Locker Accommodations at tiolf Links, Gymna- 

 siums, etc., by the Season — An appropriate charge for 

 such accommodations, which are similar to those ren- 

 dered at a private club, is, I believe, entirely justifi- 

 able. It is a question, however, in my mind, whether 

 {Continued on page 423.) 



