5 oo PARKS 



(d) Tennis. Charges for the use of tennis courts is not so widely 

 practiced as yet, but the custom is growing and will likely become almost 

 as widely practiced as fees for the use of golf courses. 



(e) Municipal theatres. There are very few municipal theatres in the 

 United States at the present time. In the few communities where they do 

 exist it is customary to charge admission fees as in the case of theatres 

 privately owned. In the few cities where operatic performances have been 

 sponsored by park and recreation authorities, it is customary to charge admis- 

 sion fees. It is not uncommon to charge a small admission fee to moving 

 picture performances in community houses or school buildings. Open-air 

 movies have generally been free, as sufficient revenue may be secured from 

 the advertising to cover the cost of operation and maintenance. 



(/) Art museums. There is usually a small fee charged for admission 

 to public art museums, although there are usually one or more days of the 

 week when the general public is admitted free. 



(g) Zoological gardens. It is the custom at some zoological gardens to 

 have certain pay days for admission and certain free days. Most of the 

 zoological gardens are, however, free to the general public. 



(h) Municipal dances. Custom varies respecting municipal dances. In 

 general a small admission fee is charged. 



(i) Refreshment stands and restaurants. Charges for refreshments or for 

 food served in restaurants in parks are universal. It has never been con- 

 tended that refreshments and food should be served free to the public. The 

 prices charged are generally current prices of average refreshment stands 

 and restaurants. 



(/) Baseball. Fees for the use of baseball grounds outside of highly 

 developed athletic fields or stadiums have never been charged. In some 

 cities, however, a registration fee is charged each team entering the munic- 

 ipal baseball league or leagues. Income secured from such fees is applied 

 to the operating expenses of the league or leagues. Occasionally, the winning 

 teams play a series of games to which an admission fee is charged, the 

 income thus derived going to help pay the expenses of conducting the league 

 or federation. Football may be handled much in the same manner. 



(k) Rental of public halls. It is quite common to charge rentals for the 

 use of public halls for certain kinds of activities, such as boxing exhibitions, 

 concerts and theatrical performances conducted for profit by some indi- 

 vidual or organization; dances conducted for profit by an individual or 

 organization; for industrial exhibits and similar activities. 



(/) Amusement devices of various kinds. Into a few park systems have 

 been introduced certain devices commonly found in commercial amusement 

 parks, and in a very few instances complete commercial amusement equip- 



