THE RECREATION SERVICE DIVISION 



with park recreation programs, there are field houses or community build- 

 ings where it is necessary to have gymnasium instructors, athletic direc- 

 tors, handcraft workers and similar leaders. The time of these workers 

 should be so distributed that their services may be used on the play- 

 grounds and at the field houses in a way which will meet the needs of 

 various groups. 



General Suggestions for the Conduct of Playgrounds. 



While rules for the conduct of playgrounds and play centers vary some- 

 what in different cities there are certain principles which are common to 

 all. A few of these follow: 



Opening the playground. Be at the playground fifteen 

 minutes before the opening so that everything will be 

 in readiness. Open on time all gates and doors to the 

 toilets and dressing rooms. Check out supplies, mak- 

 ing sure the proper individual is charged with an article 

 taken out. Hoist the flag on all playgrounds where 

 there are flagpoles. 



Call in all supplies at least fifteen minutes before 

 closing time and check them up. Lower flag and put 

 away. Shut off hydrants and gas and electric switches, 

 close windows and gates. Be the last one off the 

 ground. 



Care of supplies. Urge the children to exert special 

 care in the use of all material, and allow no good ma- 

 terial to be used out-of-doors on rainy days. Take 

 proper care of balls and repair them. Repair work 

 which cannot be handled on the playgrounds should be 

 ^sent to the repair shop. 



Safety precautions. Proper care of playground appara- 

 tus is important not only from the standpoint of safety 

 of the children, but of the personal liability of the work- 

 ers and the city. Breaks in surfacing should be repaired 

 and holes filled in. All apparatus should be inspected 

 and children instructed in its use. Swings should be 

 fenced, danger zones for various games marked, the 

 sand box left clean, pits beneath gymnasium frames 

 filled with shavings, and sawdust provided to cover 

 sides of jumping pits. 



Health protection. Every possible measure from the 

 standpoint of health should be enforced with due regard 

 to laws of sanitation and accident prevention. Play- 

 grounds should be sprinkled to prevent dust, lavatories 

 kept clean, sanitary drinking fountains provided, facili- 

 ties for washing hands furnished and children who are 

 ill excluded from the ground. 



Discipline. If it is necessary to punish a child, find 

 out the facts first. Too many warnings are not good 

 policy. Say what you mean and mean what you say, 

 but avoid gaining the ill will of the child. If a child is 

 suspended for a day, he should apply at the office of 

 the superintendent for permission to return. 



No smoking, improper conduct or use of improper 



language should be permitted. There must be no rough 

 usage of property. 



Use of school buildings and small playgrounds. Per- 

 mission should be obtained for use of school buildings 

 during playground hours and application should state 

 hours and purpose for which use is desired. If the play- 

 ground is not large enough to take care of the activities 

 of children above elementary school age, little children 

 should have preference, others being excluded. 



Ground rules. Every ground should have special rules 

 adapted to its own use. If it is a very small ground 

 there will probably have to be an age limit for the 

 children and other rules relative to their safety. There 

 may be certain regulations for the protection of neigh- 

 bors. All these should be posted and carefully enforced. 



Treatment of visitors. Make it a point to act in a 

 courteous manner to all visitors and take pleasure in 

 showing them around the ground if it is at a time when 

 it doesn't interfere with your own work. 



Entertainment plans. All plans for entertainments in 

 which the children participate should be taken up with 

 the superintendent, and all social functions given in 

 school buildings should have the approval of the prin- 

 cipal of the school. Entertainments on playgrounds 

 where money is collected must have the approval of 

 the superintendent and the proceeds spent for the bene- 

 fit of the playground in ways approved by the super- 

 intendent. 



Absence from ground. Directors wishing to be absent 

 from the ground should put in a written request for 

 such leave at least twenty-four hours before the leave 

 is to take effect. The only exceptions are emergency 

 assignment from the office or sickness, in which case 

 the office should be notified by telephone. 



In case of accident. In case of serious accident, have 

 the injured person removed to a quiet, cool room, notify 

 the parents, find out whether the family has a physician 

 they wish called. Notify the police ambulance. Get 

 the name and address of the injured person, a few names 

 of witnesses. Make a record of accident and report it 

 immediately to the office. 



Cooperation. Remember the rights of members in 



