ATHLETIC FIELD, BALL GROUNDS, ETC. 



The large lawn, the site of the old Refectory building, is now used as a 

 playfield. Sand court and shelter ai-e provided for children. 



The large meadow in the southern portion of Douglas Park is used for 

 tennis, baseball, picnics and general recreation. 



There are 3 baseball diamonds; 2 football fields, and 27 tennis 

 courts in this Park. 



78 row boats were in use in 1913. Receipts, $.5,207.85. 



UNION PARK 



This little Park is one of the okbst parks in the City of Chicago. It 

 was taken over by the West Chicago Park Commissioners from the City of 

 Chicago in the vear 188.5. The offices of the Park Board are located in this 

 Park. 



WADING POOL 



During the past two years, the lagoon has been converted into a wad- 

 ing pool for children during the summer months. As many as 3,000 childi'en 

 have patronized the pool in one day. 



There are 6 tennis courts. 



Band Concerts are also provided during July and August. 



OUR PLAYGROUND PARKS 



BERNARD A. ECKHART PARK 

 STANFORD PARK 



DVORAK PARK 



FRANKLIN PARK 



HARRISON PARK 



PULASKI PARK 



SHERIDAN PARK 



HOLSTEIN PARK 



THE PLAYGROUND MOVEMENT 



in general, in this country is of recent origin. 



In 1886, the first public playground was built in Boston, Massachusetts. 



In 1894, the first public playground was built in the City of Chicago. 



In 1899 the demand for public playgrounds made itself publicly so ap- 

 parent that the Mayor of the City appointed a Special Park Commission, 

 composed of aldermen and private citizens, to investigate and report upon 

 the needs of Chicago with reference to playgrounds. 



The investigation showed a demand far greater than the City's finances 

 and powers enabled it to supply; therefore, the matter of providing the Citj 

 with an adequate system of playgrounds was j-efcrred to the thre? existing 

 Park Boards of the City: the North or Lincoln Park Board, the South Park 

 Board, and the West Park Board. 



In 1905, the West Chicago Park Commissioners appealed to the State 

 Legislature for the passage of an enabling Act granting the West Park 

 Board the right to issue $1,000,000 of bonds for the acquisition and improve- 

 ment of small park sites. The act was secured, and the Board immediately 

 set to work to acquire these sites and improve them. 



