USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1959 > Part 17
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on a panel at the New England Area Conference in Newport, Rhode Island; and this past Fall he was a member of a panel at the National Recreation Congress in Chicago. He has also served on many other panels on a local and state level on a variety of subjects, including Public Recreation, Juvenile De- linquency, and Youth Physical Fitness. Currently, as Chairman of a sub-committee within the Youth Service Committee of Somerville, he has undertaken a City-wide Survey in an effort to determine what is being done for the youth of Somerville.
No single individual could assume the responsibility for carrying out the multiple duties of such a position unless he were surrounded by a corps of full-time and part-time workers who could assist him in those facets of the Public Recreation Service native to their respective abilities and assignments. That the Somerville Recreation Commission has such a staff is a matter of record. The high quality of the full-time staff is also a matter of record, and has been previously reported. It is worth repeating here that the number of full-time workers could be doubled without any expansion of the program, with- out relieving the present staff of any of their assignments.
ACTIVITIES PROGRAM
Appended to this report is a list of activities conducted by the Recreation Commission during the past year. There has been no new development with respect to any of them except
THE PLAY'S NOT THE THING
The child is more important than the activity. It is by way of the activity (In this instance, Children's Theatre), under qualified leadership, that the Commission attempts to combine enjoyment with complete development of the participant.
for expansions within the activities themselves (e.g., increase. in the number of teams in the indoor Basketball Leagues and the outdoor Twilight Basketball Leagues) and an increase in
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participation on almost every level. An attempt is being made to keep this report within bounds; therefore, comments will be made on certain activities only. Suffice it to say that the Commission attempts to maintain the quality of all of its pro- grams. When problems arise within a given activity it attempts to correct them. Where expansion is possible, it expands the program.
SUMMER PLAYGROUNDS
In 1909, two supervised playgrounds were established in Somerville - one at Lincoln Park, the other at City Field, now known as Trum Field. This year, in observance of fifty years of supervised play on the Somerville Playgrounds, fifty major events were conducted during the Summer season, and the outstanding participant in each event was presented a Powder House Pen Set contributed by one of the local banks. One of these major events, known as "Around The World In Summer- ville", began with the opening week and continued throughout the entire eight-weeks season. Although this event was prima- rily a Handcraft feature project, it is to the credit of the Commission's Summer corps that they captured the spirit of the event, and the results far exceeded the expectations of the Supervisor of Handcraft, Miss DeCourcey, who initiated the project. Various countries of the world were selected as the theme (Africa, Greece, China, etc.), and costumes, games, and refreshments indigenous to these countries were featured during the particular week selected by the playground as its "Around The World In Summer-ville" week.
At the Opening Day staff meeting, Mr. Stephen H. Ma- honey, former Superintendent of Recreation in Cambridge and Somerville, who was the Leader assigned to City Field in 1909, was present, and spoke a few words of encouragement to the corps of Leaders. Another speaker at this meeting was Dr. Charles F. Mahoney, son of the late Francis J. Mahoney, recent Superintendent of Recreation.
The Superintendent at the May meeting of the Commission had acquainted the members with the potential facility prob- lems at both Dilboy Field and Foss Park. It is to the credit of the Heads of Units at these playgrounds that, despite the mag- nitude of the problems faced, the season was completed with a minimum of complications. Arrangements were made with Tufts University for Dilboy to play its home baseball games at Tufts Old Campus, while Foss during the early part of the sea- son played its home games at Trum Field. Our own leadership, maintenance, and supervisory corps worked on the field at Foss
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Park, spreading loam and fill over the diamond, and as a result of their efforts and a sustained period of dry weather, the field was made playable for the major portion of the season. (In some circles it was felt that the installation of the tide gates also contributed to the improved condition of the field; how- ever, there are differences of opinion on this matter.) As further evidence of the successful operation of these two units (not that championships are ever regarded as the objective of our Service), Foss "B" Baseball team won the City champion- ship, and Dilboy captured the City Volley Ball title in a play-off game after completing its season in a top tie with Con- way Playground. (Dilboy also won the Sportsmanship award for Class "A".)
The leadership corps during the past Summer season was an exceptional one. Inasmuch as the number of male appli- cants exceeded the number of vacancies this year, there was a greater degree of selection, and the quality of the new male workers far surpassed that of recent years. This was evidenced throughout the season in the performance of the men Leaders. It is deserving of mention that the majority of the new male workers are playground products themselves. It has been the history of the Public Recreation Service, at least in Somerville, that these make the best workers, as they have a working knowledge of the "know what" and "know how"; they realize the multiple demands of the work-that it is not just athletics, and that they are not glorified baby sitters or merely custodians of supplies.
The turnover of female personnel was greater than average this year (even more than male personnel), and inexperience was the only factor that kept the women from receiving the same high rating as the men. Then again, Somerville has a number of difficult play units, and even with the best of lead- ership there is bound to be a certain percentage of problems. Because of the loss of many veteran Leaders (both male and fe- male), there were thirteen new Heads of Units, and a barometer of how well they did their work is attested to by their response to the "Around The World In Summer-ville" program. For the first time in a number of years the male Heads of Units outnumbered the females, with seventeen units headed by men Leaders and eight by women Leaders. One of the results was a pronounced reduction in disciplinary problems, although this was not traceable solely to the number of male Heads of Units. The other contributory factor was the assignment of a Police Officer by Chief of Police Thomas J. O'Brien to work exclu- sively with the Summer Playgrounds staff in the solution of
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disciplinary problems. And in this capacity Officer Robert J. Doyle went beyond the call of duty many times in evidencing acts of co-operation.
Despite several changes in the Summer supervisory staff, the 1959 incumbents maintained the high standards of their predecessors, and a higher compliment could not be given them.
Weather-wise, the season was a wet one and a warm one. However, despite the undesirability of the elements through-
"AROUND THE WORLD IN SUMMER-VILLE"
One of the features of the 1959 Summer Playgrounds Season which combined hand- craft, costuming, and folk dancing with novel games and refreshments adapted to a selected country. The above photo was taken during "China Week" at the Cummings Playground.
out the season, all league schedules, tournaments, and special days were conducted, and the three major activities - Inter- Playground Athletic Meet, "PLAY DAY", and the Inter-Play- ground Paddle Tennis Tournament - went off on schedule.
The Inter-Playground Athletic Meet was the closest one in its thirty-eight year history. Not only was this true of the final score itself (Trum-38 1/10, Foss-37 6/10, Lincoln-
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28 7/10, Conway-26 5/10), but each event was closely con- tested. As usual the Maintenance Division under the super- vision of Mr. Paul Sullivan outdid itself in providing the ideal background for this spectacular event, whose popularity is at- tested to not only by the attendance and enthusiasm of the spectators, but by the interest displayed throughout the City prior to the Meet.
The question as to the location for conducting "PLAY DAY" presented a real problem. Dilboy Stadium was under the jurisdiction of the contractor, and it appeared possible that it would not be ready for use on August 18, the date scheduled for "PLAY DAY". To provide for the possible unavailability of Dilboy Stadium, the Superintendent acquainted the Mayor with the facts, and requested that the Mayor try to obtain the use of Tufts Oval from the Tufts University authorities. Tufts Oval was unavailable, but use of the soccer field opposite Cousens Gymnasium was authorized, and the Superintendent was prepared to use this field at a moment's notice, if neces- sary. It was not until Friday, August 7 - little more than a week prior to the event itself - that the Superintendent re- ceived authorization from the contractor, Mr. John F. Kennedy, to use Dilboy Stadium. And, despite the uncertainty of the weather on the morning of this colorful and spectacular event, it was conducted on schedule. In accordance with the fifty- year observance of supervised play, the games and dances featured different eras during the last fifty years, beginning with 1909 and ending with 1959. The games were the products of the inventive minds of Mr. John Pieroni and Miss Marilyn Flaherty, General Supervisors; while the dances were adapted for the occasion by Miss Walda Corbett, Special Supervisor for Folk Dancing.
In the Inter-Playground Paddle Tennis Tournament, a third class for girls was established this year, with age groupings in the three classes the same as those of the boys. This change not only provided greater participation but resulted in closer competition in the Tournament.
It is deserving of mention here that the long-range plan for replacing wooden seats on all playground swings with rubber seats, initiated by the Superintendent several years ago, was completed during the closing week of the season - one year in advance of the minimum plan. Every playground in the City where there is a swing frame (only Cummings and Durell do not have them) now has at least one baby swing; and all the rest have swings with rubber seats. The only exception is Tufts
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Park, where the type of swing frame and the swings are of a different variety. As a result, swing accidents will be sub- stantially reduced, as rubber seats do not permit a child to stand up, or allow two on a swing; and in the case of a child being hit by the seat, will not result in injury.
On Thursday morning, July 9, at 8:00 o'clock, a Memorial Service for deceased members of the Recreation Commission's staff was conducted at St. Anthony's Church on Vine Street. The Chairman of the Commission was the celebrant of the Mass, and he addressed the capacity congregation following the Mass. It is the hope of the Superintendent that this Memorial Service will become an annual observance.
SAFETY ON THE PLAYGROUNDS
Because of the great potential for accidents on the Summer Playgrounds and its concern for the children who are so sus- ceptible to them, the Recreation Commission has established the following specific policies and procedures to be observed with respect to playground accidents, and steps to prevent them :-
Before the start of the Summer Playgrounds season, arrangements are made with the Public Works Depart- ment and the M.D.C. to mark crosswalks approaching playgrounds.
New Play Leaders are given a course in First Aid at the Pre-Season Training Institute, and veteran Leaders receive a refresher course at the In-Service Training Seminar during the Christmas vacation period.
All Leaders are instructed to give prior considera- tion to safety in the conduct of the daily program, with respect to location, surface, etc.
A Fifth Freedom - "Freedom from Accidents"- was invented several years ago, and has become the ideal to be sought after.
Safety Squads and Clean-Up Squads are appointed on each playground.
Each playground is supplied with a First-Aid Kit.
Children are instructed to be cautious when coming to and leaving the playground.
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A baby swing is included among the set of swings on each playground for the very small children.
A long-range program for replacing wooden swing seats with rubber ones, to eliminate two on a swing and standing up, was completed during the last week of the Summer season. Additionally, in the case of a child running into a swing, the rubber seat will eliminate many bumps, bruises, and more serious injuries.
Catchers in Baseball wear masks and chest protec- tors, and batters use helmet liners. Catchers in Soft- ball wear masks.
When an accident occurs on the playground, the Play Leader gives first aid if possible. If not possible, the Police Department is contacted, and the child is taken to a hospital. The Leader in charge of the activity then makes out a detailed report and submits it to the Superintendent. In the case of a more serious accident, visits to the home are made by the Leaders to check on the progress of the injured child, and a follow-up report on the condition of the child is made by the Leader.
In 1959 the aggregate attendance during the eight weeks of supervised play was 166,941. And yet only twenty-four accidents were reported, from fifteen of the twenty-six play- grounds. Eleven playgrounds either did not have an accident, or else it was not of sufficient proportion to report. (A slogan used by the Commission with respect to filling out Accident Reports is, "When in doubt, fill it out".) Five of these were swing accidents, and it is hoped that the new rubber seats will reduce this type of accident, which seems to be most common despite constant vigilance (The swings are up only during playground hours) and the enforcement of swing regulations.
Considering the extensiveness of the Recreation Commis- sion's program, the safety record is a good one. However, despite our best efforts, accidents will occur. Next to the child and its family, no one is more concerned than the Play Leader and the Recreation Commission. And it is the hope of the Commission that some one of these years the sought-for Fifth Freedom (Freedom from Accidents) can be attained.
MEN'S SOFTBALL LEAGUES
In February it was decided by the Superintendent that the number of competing teams in the Men's Softball Leagues should be reduced to twelve, because of the loss of the diamond
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at Foss Park, and in an attempt to de-emphasize certain ele- ments which have crept into adult Softball in recent years. At the time, fourteen veteran teams were scheduled to return, but the withdrawal of two of these allowed for the division of the remaining teams into two leagues of six teams each. The last- minute withdrawal of another team further depleted the quality of the high calibre American League.
In the American League, the Havican Club won the League title, with the D. A. V. Club finishing in the runner-up spot, Wells Club third, and Bella Pizzarettes in fourth place. The other two clubs finished hopelessly behind the top four. Bella Pizzarettes emerged the City Champion of Class A teams by dropping the D. A. V. and Havican Clubs in the play-offs.
In the National League, six teams of nearly equal ability battled for the four play-off berths until the final week, and the final night in one instance. The Cadillac team easily won the title, while the other three spots were decided in the final two evenings of play. In the play-offs for the Class B City title, the Cadillac Club defeated the runner-up, Kozy Grille, in the best of three games. Both Post #447, defending champions who were hampered by injuries, and Northeastern Furniture, who finished in fourth place on the final evening, were beaten in closely contested semi-final rounds.
In inter-city competition, the Somerville teams were elimi- nated from the tournament in Class A by the quarter-finals. In the Metropolitan Tournament, the Cadillac Club managed to go to the semi-finals before being eliminated.
SENIOR CITIZENS PROGRAM
The Senior Citizens Club continued to grow numerically during 1959, with the enrollment of members reaching well over one hundred by the close of the Spring season, and ap- proximately one hundred and fifty by the end of the year. Despite unanticipated losses due to deaths and anticipated losses due to the opening of the new Housing Project on Capen Street, there still remains a waiting list of persons wishing to join the Club as of the close of the year.
Special features of the year's activities included the Club's attendance at a showing of "South Pacific" in January; the annual Valentine Party in February; the second annual Spring Party in March, and attendance at the stage production of
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"Pilate's Daughter", also in March. In April the members joined with other groups in attending their fourth Cinerama production, "Windjammer"; and following the Second Anni- versary Party in early May, the Club again won honors at the Hobby Show at Horticultural Hall in Boston. The month of May also featured another trip to Cinerama for a Golden Age show- ing of "South Seas", as well as a visit to the Circus at the Boston Garden. The Spring season closed with an outing to Salem
ALL SHOTS ARE BIG SHOTS
One of the members of the Recreation Camera Club in the process of checking a photo he has developed and enlarged. This group is quite proud of its accomplishments since its organization a few years ago. Its program embraces the entire photographic field.
Willows in June, which included a boat trip around the harbor. The Summer program consisted of three trips, as well as at- tendance at the monthly Red Sox Baseball games. In July, the members made their third boat trip to Nantasket Beach; in August, they attended another outing to Canobie Lake; and in September, the Club visited the Topsfield Fair.
With the resumption of regular meetings in September, the Club planned a full program of activities for the Fall. October's
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special events included a Foliage Trip to the Cathedral In The Pines in New Hampshire, a visit to a Boston theatre to see "The Big Fisherman", and the Club's third annual Hallowe'en Party, which was a highly successful affair. In early November the group held its second annual Bazaar, which proved to be a most successful venture; and a catered Thanksgiving Dinner Party closed out the affairs for the month. December was a busy month, with one hundred members attending the showing of "Ben Hur" on December 10, and thirty-three attending a spe- cial showing of "Porgy And Bess" one week later; and on the following day, more than one hundred and ten were present for the Christmas Party, which ended the Club's activities for 1959.
Although the success of the Somerville Senior Citizens Club is great, and the numerical strength improved, the operation of recreational programs has become difficult due to limited facilities. The year's success is mainly due to programs outside the local confines, such as theatre parties and other opportunities where a guarantee of larger participation secures more advantageous prices.
All told, the year was a highly successful one. However, as a result of the increase in membership, one thing seems clear. Overtaxing of facilities or increasing the membership to more than fifty or sixty may bring happiness and a certain amount of joy to all, but at the same time it tends to reduce the opportunities for filling the human needs of these people for companionship, friendship, and individual recognition which are present in a group of smaller size.
RECREATION PROGRAMS FOR HOUSING PROJECTS
The Recreation Commission has been ever conscious of the increased demands for recreation programs that would come about as a natural result of the erection of Housing Projects in Somerville, and has attempted to expand its program in every way possible in order to satisfy the needs of the residents of these Projects.
In addition to its efforts which resulted in the opening of a playground at the Mystic Avenue Housing Project in the Summer of 1955, the Commission, with the co-operation of Mr. DiGiusto, Executive Director of the Somerville Housing Authority, was responsible for initiating many improvements in this area during the past Summer, including basketball courts, shower spray, bubbler, and play field. The Mystic Avenue
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Playground is now in operation not only during the Summer months, but also as a Saturday Playground during the Spring and Fall. Other playground opportunities for the children in these Projects can be found at the Grimmons and Marchi Play- grounds, both of which are in operation during the Summer, Fall, and Spring seasons.
Indoor recreation for the boys and girls of the Mystic Ave- nue Housing Projects is provided through (1) the Physical Fitness Programs for teen-age boys and girls, with separate activities conducted two evenings each week in the Healey School Gymnasium from October through mid-March; (2) the Saturday Afternoon Basketball League for boys of ages 12 to 16, also in the Healey Gymnasium, from December through March; (3) the Saturday Indoor Center Program conducted at the Grimmons School on Saturday mornings from January through mid-March, for boys and girls of ages 7 through 11 years; (4) a Model Aircraft Program for boys 10 to 15 years of age, also at the Grimmons, from mid-October through April; and (5) a group Girls' Club which meets weekly at the Grim- mons Recreation Room from September to June, and whose membership includes girls from the Housing Projects. Expan- sion of the Commission's indoor program within the Projects themselves has been prevented by lack of facilities. The Com- mission has been interested in organizing an Arts And Crafts program for boys and girls of both Projects, but is unable to find a room large enough to conduct the program.
Relative to the Clarendon Hill Housing Project, the Com- mission provides supervised playground programs during the Summer, Fall, and Spring for the younger children at the North Street Playground, which is next door to the Housing Project; while the older boys and girls attend the Summer Playground program at Dilboy Field. During the indoor season, boys and girls of ages 7 to 12 attend the Cutler Indoor Center on Satur- day mornings, and the Children's Theatre program conducted two afternoons each week, also in the Cutler School building. For the teen-age boys of this area, an evening program, of Physical Fitness is conducted twice weekly in the Western Jr. High School Gymnasium, and on Saturday afternoons, a Boys' Basketball League is in operation in the same Gymnasium.
Announcements concerning all of the above-mentioned programs available to residents of Somerville's Housing Proj- ects have been forwarded to the Somerville Housing Authority from time to time, and every effort has been made to acquaint the tenants of both the Clarendon Hill and the Mystic Avenue
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Housing Projects with the recreational opportunities offered them throughout the year by the Recreation Commission.
RETARDED CHILDREN
Although its past efforts to provide a recreation program for trainable retarded children have not been too successful, it is still the hope of the Recreation Commission and its Super- intendent to be able to do something for these children. The Commission is following with interest the development of the new play area for exceptional children now being constructed by the Metropolitan District Commission in the Stony Brook reservation at Hyde Park, and hopes that in the not-too-distant future something of a similar nature can be constructed at one of the M.D.C. areas in the general vicinity of Somerville. Thus, not only Somerville, but also a number of contiguous cities, whose present number of trainable retarded children is too few to be given special local recognition, but who certainly deserve to be given the opportunities for wholesome enjoyment that normal children have, could all be served.
As reported in the Commission's 1956 Annual Report on the subject of the Recreation Program For Trainable Retarded Children, "It is the opinion of the Superintendent that pro- grams for this type of child could best be conducted on a sec- tional or county level. There would then be sufficient children to warrant their establishment, and the facilities would un- doubtedly be of such nature as to have an additional appeal. In Somerville the potential areas are at best a poor substitute." Additionally it has been proven that if a program of this type is to succeed, the person responsible for the conduct of the program must be trained in working with these exceptional children. And even though finances and facilities were avail- able, the Recreation Commission would be hesitant to operate this type of program without qualified personnel.
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