Report of the city of Somerville 1912, Part 25

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 528


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1912 > Part 25


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$1,000 00


Transferred to Sidewalks Construction ac- count


1,000 00


2,000 00


Total debit


$31,312 70


CREDIT.


Balance unexpended December 30, 1911


$6,009 76


Appropriation, 1912 .


15,000 00


Assessments levied, sewers constructed.


1911


8,669 52


Amounts received from other departments . 236 08


Materials on hand December 30, 1911 .


1,409 57


Total credit


$31,324 93


Balance unexpended $12 23


The greater part of the new construction work has been done by contract. and the remainder by the city employing day labor where old structures were to be remodeled or re- placed by some difficult construction work.


All materials have been furnished by the city, and the prices paid for supplies, for the season, have been by contract with the lowest bidder as follows :-


Akron sewer pipe (3 ft. lengths), 82 3-5% discount from list price on cars Sewer pipe fittings . 83% discount from list price on cars


Portland cement, per barrel . $0.99 on cars (net)


Sand, per cubic yard 0.64 on cars


Sewer bricks, per M. 7.00 on cars


Iron manhole and catch basin castings, per hundred weight, 1.36 on cars


Catch basin traps, each . 1.70 on cars


.


A number of sewers have been constructed as petitioned for in various sections of the city, or as considered necessary


333


CITY ENGINEER.


for the improvement of the drainage system, and portions of the cost of construction assessed on the abutting estates under orders adopted by the board of aldermen.


Short lines of storm drains and overflows from congested sewers have been constructed during the year in the most needed districts.


The "separate system" sewers (those built for house drain- age only) have been extended in a number of streets in the older districts, and this system should be extended yearly until all the flooded districts in the city have two complete systems of drainage, the old sewer to be used for storm and surface water. The city pays the entire cost of these new sewer ex- tensions for house drainage, and wherever constructed the house plumbing should be changed where necessary, and the house drains and conductor, or surface water drains, re-con- nected with both systems as soon as possible.


New sewers and drains were constructed during the year varying in size from eight-inch pipe to fifteen-inch pipe, in the following localities :-


"Separate system" sewers in :-


Barton street,-Broadway to Russell road.


Broadway, -- (northeasterly sidewalk) Garfield avenue to near Austin street.


Clarendon avenue,-extension of 1911 work to near Weston avenue.


Connecticut avenue,-Mystic avenue to near Pennsyl- vania avenue.


Cross street,-Mystic avenue to Pennsylvania avenue. Hillsdale road,-Chetwynd road to Sunset road.


Illinois avenue,-Broadway to near Pennsylvania avenue.


Indiana avenue,-Broadway to near Pennsylvania avenue.


Michigan avenue,-Broadway to near Pennsylvania avenue.


Minnesota avenue,-Broadway to near Pennsylvania avenue.


Mystic avenue,-Cross street to near Austin street.


Mystic avenue,-Moreland street southeasterly to angle in street.


Pennsylvania avenue,-Cross street to near Broadway. Rhode Island avenue,-Mystic avenue to near Penn- sylvania avenue.


Sunset road,-Hillsdale road to near Curtis street.


Wisconsin avenue,-Broadway to near Pennsylvania avenue.


"Combined system" sewers in :-


Aldrich street,-Flint street southwesterly.


334


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Cady avenue,-Simpson avenue to Corinthian road. Corinthian road,-Cady avenue to near Broadway.


Delaware street,-Pearl street southwesterly.


Florence street,-Pearl street southwesterly.


Osgood street,-Granite street easterly.


Steeves circle,-Cherry street easterly.


Storm drains in :-


Broadway,-(northeasterly sidewalk) Cross street to near Austin street.


City Farm lands,-extension at Incinerating plant. Connecticut avenue,-Mystic avenue to near Penn- sylvania avenue.


Cross street,-Mystic avenue to Pennsylvania avenue. Illinois avenue,-Broadway to near Pennsylvania avenue.


Indiana avenue,-Broadway to near Pennsylvania avenue. Michigan avenue,-Broadway to near Pennsylvania avenue.


Minnesota avenue,-Broadway to near Pennsylvania avenue.


Mystic avenue,-Fellsway east to near Austin street. Pennsylvania avenue,-Cross street to near Broadway. Rhode Island avenue,-Mystic avenue to near Penn- sylvania avenue.


Somerville Field,-drainage of field.


Wisconsin avenue,-Broadway to near Pennsylvania avenue.


Summary of Work. Thirty-six new sewers and drains have been constructed during the year, a total length of 19,557.8 linear feet (3.74 miles) at a cost of $25,023.43; plans have been made showing these sewers in detail, and assessments levied on a portion of them, amounting to $8,669.52. (See tabular statement of sewers and drains for 1912, showing itemized statement of work and cost.)


The total length of the city's drainage system is 105.864 miles ; 28.734 miles being on the "separate system" and 8.277 miles of storm drains, and the entire cost of construction has amounted to about $1,282,889.00, exclusive of the amount paid to the state for assessments for the construction of the North Metropolitan sewerage system.


Forty-nine new catch basins have been constructed in the highways during the year, at an average cost of $64.60 per basin, and nine removed, making a total of 1,678 basins in the city for street drainage purposes, constructed and maintained as follows :-


335


CITY ENGINEER.


:


By the city (sewer division) :-


Located in streets and subways


1,625 basins 29


Located in city boulevard .


Located in park's (12), other city lots (12)


24


66


Total catch basins constructed and maintained by city


1,678


By Boston & Maine Railroad Company on railroad locations


33 basins


By state, located in boulevards .


52


66


·


85


Total catch basins in the city for storm drainage purposes


1,763


Metropolitan Sewer Connections. All of the city's con- nections with the North Metropolitan state sewerage system are in good condition. No new main connections have been required.


Wherever the city's "combined system" sewers are con- nected with the Metropolitan sewer the flow is automatically regulated so that in times of storm the connection closes and the discharge continues through the old channels to the rivers ; the "separate system" connections are always in operation under all conditions. The locations of the connections of the city's mains with the state sewer are as follows :-


One at Somerville avenue and Poplar street (combined system).


Two at Somerville avenue and Poplar street (separate system).


One at Waverley street and Roland street (separate system).


One at Waverley street and Roland street (combined system).


One at North Union street and Mousal place (separate system).


One at Mystic avenue and Fellsway East (combined system).


One at Mystic avenue and Fellsway East (separate system). One at Mystic avenue and Moreland street (separate system).


One at Alewife brook and Powder House boulevard (separate system),


One at Alewife brook and Broadway (separate system).


One at Alewife brook and Woodstock street (separate system).


Three connections entering the city of Medford, at Win- chester street, Boston avenue, and Pearson road (all separate system).


Four connections entering the city of Cambridge, at Seven Pines avenue, Yorktown street, Newbury street, and Clarendon avenue (all separate system). i


336


ANNUAL REPORTS.


At the Somerville-avenue-Poplar-street connection with the Metropolitan sewer, records compiled from an automatic recording clock placed in the "regulator chamber" on the com- bined system show this outlet to have been cut off as follows :-


Year 1912, completely closed 575 hours, partly closed 349 hours.


In previous years the following :-


Year 1911, completely closed 512 hours, partly closed 125 hours.


1910,


66


382


66


66


190


1909,


1908,


66


66


469


206


66


66


66


331


66


1906,


1905,


1904,


66


279


66


66


922


66


1903,


66


376


66


377


66


1901,


386


66


225


66


66


1900,


66


353


66


66


66


114


66


66


459


66


683


66


605


66


1907,


534


66


297


66


548


66


180


167


66


1902,


The city's assessment for the Metropolitan sewer system for the past year was $42,570.82 on construction account and $23,058.30 for maintenance, and the total amount paid the commonwealth of Massachusetts for this state sewer has been $887,420.82 (1892-1912, both years inclusive). The total length of the Metropolitan sewerage system mains running through the city amounts to 3.475 miles.


NewWork. The separate system sewers should be ex- tended in the old sections of the city each year, as the appro- priation will allow. The construction of the storm drainage system commenced in the vicinity of North Somerville, where buildings and new streets are being rapidly constructed, the outlet for this district being through the city of Medford into Mystic river; and in connection therewith, the boundary line between Somerville and Medford should be changed in the vicinity of Pearson road and Boston avenue, so that this outlet, Two Penny brook, can be improved by Somerville, and the covered channel extended to the Boston & Maine railroad, to conform with the work already done within the present city limits.


A large storm overflow drain has been contemplated for some time at the East Cambridge line, across private lands from Somerville avenue, discharging into the head of Miller's river ; and this matter of improving the city's drainage system should be carried out without further delay.


Some agreement should be made whereby a storm drain and sewers may be constructed in the valley along the location of the Southern division of the Boston & Maine railroad, be- tween Gilman square and Cedar street, this being the natural outlet for a number of the city's streets and house lots which at the present time have either very poor or no means


66


289


TABULAR STATEMENT OF SEWERS AND STORM DRAINS BUILT IN 1912.


LOCATION.


ITEMS OF CONSTRUCTION AND COST.


SEWER.


SUB- DRAIN.


PIPE SEWER, COST PER LINBAL FOOT.


NAME OF STREET.


FROM


To


CONTRACTOR.


MATERIAL EXCAVATED.


Average Cut.


Size in inches.


Length in feet.


Size in inches.


Length in feet.


Excavation.


Price per cubic


yard, Rock.


Manholes.


Inlets.


Excavating, Re- | filling, and Pipe Laying.


Price. including


where laid


inspection .


Miscellaneous,


Repaving Side-


ing Streets, etc.


Average cost per


Total cost.


Assessment.


Cost to City


Aldrich


Flint street


Southerly


Day labor


Hardpan


6.5


20.0


(Over- flow connection)


៛ 36.55


$ 36.55


* Barton


Broadway


Russell road


Timothy F. Crimmings


Hardpan


6.0


429.6


1.0


#3.00


2


$40.25


$0.44


$0.18


$0.03


$0.88


378.77


$ 378.77


*Broadway


Garfield avenue


Michigan avenue .


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardpan


10.6


12


840.0


51.0


3.00


53.60


26


1.43


0.21


0.03


1.95


3,321.20


683.15


2,638.05


"Broadway


Michigan avenue


Near Austin street


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardnan


9.6


10


859.2


3


53.60


31


1.38


Broadway (storm drain)


Connection at


Cross street


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardpan


10.2


15


31.8


Broadway (storm-drain)


Cross street


Michigan avenue .


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardpan


9.1


12


605.3


1.10


1,647 38


Broadway (storm-drain)


Michigan avenue


Near Austin street


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardpan


8.1


10


861.7


8


160.4


1


38.75


1


0.16


0.02


0.71


483.64


483.64


Corinthian road


Cady avenue


Near Broadway


Maurice Buttimer


Sand


5.0


8


523.9


12


70.0


( Storm- drain


extension)


201.3


2.40


37.50


39


0.30


0.18


$0.02


1.53


775 00


733.86


41.14 (a)


*Connecticut avenue


Mystic avenue


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Denis I. Crimmings


Filling and hardpan


6.8


400.5


0.5


6.00


1


36.50


0.59


0.15


0.02


0.8


339.44


339.44


Connecticut avenue (storm-drain)


Mystic avenue


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Denis I. Crimmings


Filling and hardpan


5.8


400.5


1


30


( Built


by agree ment)


...


0.64


258.19


258.19


.Cross


Mystic avenue


Pennsylvania avenue


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardpan


7.6


10


541.5


2


36.75


42


0.68


0.18


0.03


1.03


555.67


555.67


Cross (storm-drain)


Mystic avenue


Pennsylvania avenne


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardpan


6.1


10


541.5


2


(Built


by agree ment)


0.72


391.40


391.40


Delaware


Angle


Pearl street .


Day labor


Hardpan


Day labor


Hardpan


Day labor


Hardpan


4.3


12


162.0


8.0


00


199.0


58.0


2.65


1


37.00


15 0 4


0.16


0.04


1


1.22


1,000.73


1,000.73


*Sunset road


Hillsdale road


Near Curtis street


Bartholomew Burke


Hardpan and rock


6.8


624.8


69.0


2.60


2


37.00


0.46


0.16


0.04


0.03


0.93


342.24


342.24


Illinois avenue (storm-drain)


Broadway


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Hardpan


6.3


8


369.0


8


318.1


1


38.50


24


0.6


0.16


0.03


0 9


307.59


307.59


*Indiana avenue


Broadway


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardpan


Hardpan


6.5


8


318.1


7.5


00


407.2


1.0


$5.00


1


37.25


30


0.68


0.14


0.02


0.95


386.01


386.01


Michigan avenue (storm-drain)


Broadway


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardpan


6.5


8


407.2


8


464.1


1.0


5.00


1


37.25


0.70


0.14


0.02


0.94


440.24


440.24


*Minnesota avenue


Broadway


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardpan


Hardpan


7.0


9


464.1


1


24 ( Built


by agree ment)


0.60


276.94


276.94


*Mystic avenue .


Moreland street


Mt. Vernon avenue


Day labor


Hardpan


8.1


10


410.4


?


13 )


1.5


1,027.75


1,027.75 (b)


*Mystic avenue .


Mt. Vernon avenue


Angle .


Day labor


Hardpan and rock 7.0


8


249.7


16.0


1


1.38


0.59


0.11


$0.23


$0.08


2 68


1,834.72


1,834.72


Mystic avenue (storm-drain)


Fellsway East.


Cross street .


Charles A. Kelley


Filling .


10.0


15


684.5


10-6


12


573.6


3


52.00


1.53 )


0.03


0.05


0.23


2.26


2,470.92


523.63


1,947.29


*Mystic avenue .


Vermont avenue


Near Austin street


Denis I. Crimmings


Filling and clay


10.


10


518.9


12


570.0


10


521.0


8


154.0


56.0


1


10


Osgood .


Granite street .


Near Easterly end


Near Broadway


Hardpan


7.0


1,405.5


3.0


4.00


36.50


74


0.59


0.15


0.02


0.88


1,239.44


1,239.44


Pennsylvania avenue (storm-drain)


Cross street


Near Broadway


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardpan


6.0


8


1,405.5


8


373.9


00


373.9


1


20


(Built by agreement)


0.66


248.42


248.42


Rhode Island avenue (storm-drain) .


Mystic avenue


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Denis I. Crimmings


Timothy F. Crimmings


Hardpan


7.6


141.2


1


40.50


8


0.70


0.17


0.04


0.07


1.27


178.78


178.78


Steeves circle


Cherry street .


*Wisconsin avenue


Broadway


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Bartholomew Burke


Hardpan


6.8


8


439.6


1


40.50


18


0.76


0.13


0.02


1.00


441.10


441.10


Wisconsin avenue (storm-drain)


Broadway


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Bartholomew Burke


Hardpan


5.8


8


439.6


1


18


(Built by agree ment)


0.59


260.76


260.76


Somerville Athletic Field (drainage)


Total length and cost of new sewers and drains built in 1912,


19,557.8 (3.74 miles.)


* Separate system sewers. (a) City credited with rock sold. (b) To be assessed in 1913.


Total length of public sewers in the city, January 1, 1913 Total length of private sewers in the city, January 1, 1913 .


480,511.8 feet. 34,748.0 feet.


Total length of sewers In the city, January 1, 1913 Total length of storm drains in the city, January 1, 1913


515,259.8 feet, = 97.587 miles. 43,702.0 feet, = 8.277 miles.


Total length of the city drainage system, January 1, 1913


105.864 miles.


Total length of Met. sewerage system mains running through the city


3.475 miles.


8


369.0


1.0


4.00


1


36.50


28


0.64


28


(Built by agreement)


0.66


244.52


244.52


*Indiana avenue (storm-drain) .


Broadway


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Denis 1. Crimmings


0.71


224.43


224.43


*Michigan avenue


Broadway


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Denis I. Crimmings


Hardpan


0.63


256.79


256.79


Minnesota avenue (storm-drain)


Broadway


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Denis I. Crimmings


Rock


6.9


506.0


*Clarendon avenue .


Sewer built 1911


Near Weston avenue


Charles A. Kelley


Filling .


6.4


Cady avenue and


Simpson avenue


Corinthian road


Maurice Buttimer .


Day labor


Hardpan


7.6


City Farm (storm-drain)


At Incinerator plant


2.6


183.26


183.26


Florence


Pearl street


10


( Over- flow con nection)


814.86


814 86


Florence


End of above


Southerly


Chetwynd road


Sunset road .


Bartholomew Burke


Hardpan and rock


*Illinois avenue


Broadway


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Denis I. Crimmings


Hard pan


7.3


8


150.0


1


(Over-|flow connection)


235.82


235.82


6.8


15


252.0)


3


Average cost. Manholes.


Main


Sewer


Sub-


drain


Lumber.


walks. Resurfac-


lineal foot.


1,647.38


16


(Built


by agreement)


29


0.30


38.75


22


-


$25,023.43


$8,669.52


$16,353.91


*Mystic avenue .


Cross street


0.21


13


1.48)


12


( Built by agreement)


14 |


5.02


773.08


281 72


491.36


Mystic avenue (storm drain)


Vermont avenue


Near Austin street


Denis I. Crimmings


Day labor


Filling and rock


*Pennsylvania avenue


Cross street


78


(Built by agreement)


20


0.68


0.13


0.03


0.95


353.51


353.51


*Rbode Island avenue


Mystic avenue


Near Pennsylvania ave.


Denis I. Crimmings


Filling and hardpan


7.0


1


38.50


12


2


52.00


Mystic avenue (storm-drain)


Cross street .


Vermont avenue


Denis I. Crimmings


Filling and clay


9.1


3


2


24


(Built by agreement)


1


30


( Built by agreement)


24


A


48.75


Vermont avenue


Denis I. Crimmings


Filling and clay


1.11


1,200.64


1,200.64


Filling and clay


8.0


6.1


Denis I. Crimmings


0.57


806.64


806.54


5


48


0.15


Denis I. Crimmings


1


7.5


8


30


42


*Hillsdale road and


Southerly 252 feet


.


1,287.10


1,287.10


Day labor


Filling and hardpan


6.0


8


Cubic yards Rock


Sub-drain


(28.734 miles separate system sewers.)


Near end


5.0


8.0


.....


0 02


١


-


.


٠


.


٠


337


CITY ENGINEER.


of drainage, and would abolish two syphons under the railroad tracks.


The proposed storm drain would be of great benefit to the railroad company, and give relief to sections of the city's over- charged drainage system during heavy storms by diverting through this proposed conduit the proper drainage area which is now flowing in other directions.


The sewer system in a section of West Somerville, in the vicinity of Chester street, Orchard street, etc., is over-charged in times of heavy rainfall, and should be relieved by extending the Tannery brook storm drain from Davis square southeast- erly.


Many cellars in Aldrich, Flint, Delaware, and Virginia streets are flooded in times of storms ; this area being at a low elevation, to obtain relief would require the extension of the "separate sewerage" system from the present terminal at Broadway to this district, and the construction of new sewers in the various streets, the present sewers having been built by private parties a number of years ago.


In the vicinity of Bartlett and Robinson streets alterations should be made in the present sewers (which are now private structures) to provide for removing storm water.


Maintenance Account. STATEMENT OF EXPENSES, 1912.


Maintenance of sewers, including cleaning


and flushing (105.9 miles)


$2,668 16


flushing (1,678) .


7,577 88


Changing line and grade and repairing catch basins .


379 42


Changing line and grade and repairing man- holes


273 26


Repairing old sewers


464 06


Inspection and location of house drains


89 28


New tools and supplies .


263 03


Repairs of tools and property


314 93


Sundry expenses, car fares, telephone,


books, etc.


130 91


Maintenance of sewer division yards and buildings


839 04


Work and materials furnished other depart- ments and accounts .


864 40


Total debit


$13,864 37


CREDIT.


Appropriation


$13,000 00


Amounts received from other departments and accounts,-labor, materials fur- nished, etc.


864 40


Total credit


$13,864 40


Balance unexpended


$ 03


Maintenance of catch basins, cleaning and


338


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Value of tools and property on hand used in maintenance


$1,000 00 of sewers


A permanent force of men and teams are kept continually at work flushing, cleaning, and repairing the city's drainage system, catch basins, etc., the expense necessarily increasing yearly as lengths of sewers, drains, and catch basins are added to the system.


About 4,900 cubic yards of deposit have been removed from the catch basins and sewers during the year, at an average cost of $1.55 per cubic yard, and the average cost per mile for cleaning and flushing the drainage system, including catch basins, has amounted to $96.75.


Sixty-nine catch basins and forty-eight manholes have been repaired and grade or line changed.


A number of repairs have been made on some of the old sewers, alterations made in the outlets, and overflows and extra manholes built for the purpose of improving the system.


Four hundred and fifty-six permits have been issued to licensed drain layers for connecting buildings with the main sewers, sixty being for repairs or alterations; all of the work being done under the supervision of the city's inspector.


At the present time there are ten persons licensed as drain layers by the city and under bonds, for the purpose of laying these private drains.


There are to date about 15,040 private drain connections with the city's drainage system.


During the year the sewer department has done consider- able miscellaneous work for other city departments and outside companies where alterations and new construction work have been required, furnishing materials and labor, and being re- imbursed for the same to the amount of $864.40.


PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS.


At the present time there are nineteen separate parcels of land located in all parts of Somerville, used for parks and play- grounds, amounting to 70.4 acres, and also a boulevard about one and one-third miles in length maintained by the city. In- cluded in this total area are playgrounds where the land is owned by private parties and leased to the city, for use, in the following, localities: On Fellsway east, 2.5 acres; Knowlton street, 1.5 acres ; and the cemetery lot on Somerville avenue, .? acre.


Four of the larger pleasure parks are famous historically.


There are eight baseball "diamonds" and three football fields in use and under the city's supervision, as well as numer- ous smaller playgrounds, on which are located an outdoor gym- nasium, running track, tennis courts, and various kinds of atlı- letic apparatus for recreation and rest, where children can


339


CITY ENGINEER.


-


play and enjoy themselves and are safe from the dangers of a thickly-settled city.


These areas are constantly in use by the many athletic teams, the games being arranged for and regularly scheduled on the various grounds throughout the season, about three hundred ball games being provided for by schedule the past year.


The larger areas have been policed by regular officers from the police department, when required, the expense being paid from the police appropriation; trees and shrubs added to the various grounds, and bulbs, plants, and flowers furnished in their seasons, and during the winter time ponds flooded for skating when the weather was favorable, and a hockey rink maintained.


This area of parks and playgrounds compares favorably with other cities, Somerville being very small in area and the most densely populated city in the state, averaging about 20,000 in population to a square mile.


On a section of Powder House boulevard granolithic side- walks have been constructed.


On the easterly end of Central Hill park a new Public Library building is being constructed which will cost when completed about $125,000.00.


The Kent street and Poplar street playgrounds have been enclosed the past year by the erection of iron fences, gymnastic apparatus erected, and shower-baths installed in school build- ings adjacent to some of the playgrounds.


On several of the playfields concrete buildings should be constructed in place of some of the old wooden structures, additional apparatus provided on some of the principal parks and playgrounds for the smaller children's pleasure, where a regular park employee can have the care of the same, and some of the smaller playground areas should be enclosed by wire fencing for the protection of children.


At the westerly end of Lincoln park, a wading pool having an area of not over 3,000 square feet could be constructed, with a concrete bottom and side walls, at a small cost. This would be. a source of much enjoyment to a very large number of children in the immediate vicinity, and maintained exclu- sively for their use.


In certain localities of the city well-lighted playgrounds, during the summer evenings, should be maintained for the young men and women working in the factories daily.


The city has become so densely populated that portions of some of the larger park areas should be utilized for public recreation and physical training purposes; Broadway park (northerly end), ball field and children's playground; Central Hill park, tennis courts and children's playground; Tufts park,


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ANNUAL REPORTS.


children's playground, gymnastic apparatus, etc. ; Mason street playground, tennis courts.


The Playgrounds Association has continued its good work in the city, and funds contributed by citizens and a sum of $2,500 appropriated by the city for the special equipment of grounds and supervision of playfields during the summer months has been expended under the direction of the school committee.


Certain areas were used in the city's parks, playgrounds, and schoolyards, which had been equipped with swings, sand boxes, and various kinds of gymnastic apparatus, and in- structors were employed during the months of July and August. Many children enjoyed themselves at these outdoor kinder- garten schools, while the larger boys were instructed in base- ball, basket ball, and other games, and in the use of gymnastic apparatus, teams being formed and athletic competitions held between the various teams.


Probably still better results, in this city, could be obtained by establishing a system with a permanent director of athletics and gymnastics who would have charge and instruct in every form of athletics and recreation ; including all sports and games for the high schools, grammar schools, and all others using the city's playfields and buildings.




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