DESIGN OF PARK AND RECREATION AREAS 193 



picnic grounds, but in general it is desirable to do so. Inconspicuous stone 

 or concrete ovens or fireplaces, small enough to be economical of fuel, are 

 in general all that will be required. Picnic grounds intended for taking care 

 of large crowds at barbecues and outdoor banquets may be equipped with 

 barbecue pits or larger ovens. The number of ovens at any one picnic 

 ground will depend upon the number of people the ground is intended to 

 accommodate. For the serving of food, tables and benches are more or less 

 necessary. These may be installed in permanent locations in a certain 

 relation to the small ovens and fireplaces, or they may be movable. Movable 

 tables and benches, however, are very likely to come to an early end. The 

 tables and benches should have as rustic a design as possible, and if painted, 

 colors should be used that render the equipment inconspicuous. 



4. Shelters. As a protection against sudden storms a shelter of some 

 type is essential at a picnic ground. At places intended for small group 

 parties this need not be very large. At the larger picnic grounds the struc- 

 ture may be of very generous dimensions, serving also as an informal dance 

 hall. In the wilder portions of large parks the inconspicuous type known as 

 the Adirondack Shelter (see Plate 184, page 389) would be sufficient for small 

 picnic centers. Attractive log cabins, equipped with an open fireplace and 

 sometimes with an oven in addition, have been erected at some picnic 

 centers serving large groups. These are used for picnicking in winter, a 

 season that has not been sufficiently used for this form of activity in the 

 large parks of the colder sections of the country. This is largely because 

 structures suitable for use in the winter months have not been provided at 

 picnic centers. 



5. Play apparatus for little children. Picnic grounds used by family 

 groups or by mixed crowds of children and adults should be provided with 

 a few simple pieces of play equipment. These might include a few swings, 

 teeter boards, slide and sand pile, although other types might be added. 

 These should be located in an inconspicuous place among the trees. 



A great deal more ingenuity might be exercised in providing this equip- 

 ment than is commonly employed. Instead of installing steel apparatus, 

 as is usually done, teeter boards across a log, swing frames constructed of 

 heavy timbers, and a huge sand pile would be even more attractive and 

 certainly fit in better with natural surroundings. A wonderfully fine piece 

 of equipment can be made of a long, straight;, springy tree pole mounted 

 on two logs or strong horses with the slender end projecting so that it will 

 readily spring up and down. This forms an excellent balancing beam and 

 a capital hobby horse. 



