USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1929 > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
355
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
D. Activities Covered by Year Round Pro- gram
E. Type of Year Round Program-Columbus, Ga.
F. Community Center Activities-Sheboygan, Wis.
G. Budget-Mt. Vernon, N. Y.
H. Maps
To the Park Commission and School Committee of Arlington :
This study is made with the understanding that you recognize the established fact, that it is the respon- sibility of a municipality to furnish facilities and leadership for public recreation. The providing of opportunities whereby people may use their leisure time to the best advantage has come to be considered a civic duty. A recreation system should unify all . public facilities, avoid duplication of administration and program, and give the maximum of recreational activities and advantages at a minimum of cost.
Properly supervised recreation facilities should not only furnish an adequate program for the construc- tive use of the leisure time of the children and adults in Arlington, but also be an aid to control crime, pre- vent accidents, promote health, reduce juvenile delin- quency and secure business.
The conclusions and recommendations in this re- port are based upon personal field experiences, sta- tistics and full reports from nearly one thousand cities in the United States. We have avoided the theoretical and have endeavored to show how in our estimation Arlington may make steady, sound, sane progress to- ward the development of a well balanced and properly supervised system of public recreation.
356
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
RECREATION LIFE OF ARLINGTON
The School Committee will conduct in 1930 six summer playgrounds with a staff of ten people, one director and nine supervisors. A well balanced pro- gram for the two months has been in operation on four grounds each year and the marked development in the variety of activities and the attendance are indicative of the increasing need for recreation in Arlington. The attendance record for 1929 shows a total of 18,246 with an average daily attendance of 395. We found the fol- lowing school facilities and recreation program:
Schools
Size sq. ft.
Equipment Audi- Gym torium
Program Summer
Crosby
83,368
Some
1
1 None
"
Hardy
110,666
None
1
1
Locke
75,988
Sand Boxes
1
None
Jr. High Ctr. 40,916
None
1
1
None
No
Jr. High E. 115,617
1
1
"
"
Jr. High W. * 13.5 A
Ball Field
1
1
Athletics
„
Parmenter-2 38,685
None
1
1
None
">
Peirce
109,877
1
None
Supervised
Yes
Russell
93,965
Some
None
Sr. High
355,629
None
1
1
None
No
Supervised
Yes
Cutter
78,338
1
Spy Pond Field
This field is also under the control of the School Committee. It has an area of 8.35 acres with an athletic field and base ball field, five tennis courts, hockey field for girls, locker building for boys, locker building for girls and a stadium.
The Arlington school enrollment for a period of eight years shown in the following table is an illustra- tion of the increase in child population that must be considered in planning for future recreation needs.
*Includes park area.
357
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Arlington, Massachusetts Schools
Total Enrollment
1922
.3666
1926.
5058
1923
3898
1927
. 5420
1924.
4220
1928
.5889
1925.
4627
1929.
.6080
The total acreage of the Arlington School District is 38.8 acres. Accepted school standards today are five acres or more for elementary schools and ten acres or more for high schools. With the exceptions of the Junior High School West and the Senior High School where in both cases park lands are available, none meet the standard. Thought must be given to the acquisition of larger school areas in any new planning.
While the school facilities for out-door recreation in Arlington are limited, additional equipment and year-round supervision, including the evening hours, would improve conditions.
The use of school properties for community centres is now an accepted plan in a large number of cities. The program is usually under the control of a recrea- tion commission.
The Park Commission has under its control the following areas :
Name
Size Equipment
Senior High
Field
372,500 sq. ft.
None
Heights Play Field
10.2 acres
Ball and Tennis
Meadow Brook Park
245,877 sq. ft. None
Menotomy Rocks Park
1,500,000 sq. ft.
Spy Pond Field
87,167 sq. ft.
Skating Landscape only
358
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Senior High Field
The new Senior High Field when completed will be an asset to the recreational life of Arlington by vir- tue of the variety of facilities which the plans contem- plate. Fields will be provided for foot ball, base ball, field hockey, secondary foot ball, playground ball, volley ball and children's play. The construction of a one-quarter mile track is contemplated with temporary bleachers, that can be moved for use on the various fields. Room is afforded for a quoits court on the park area, but any tennis courts would have to be constructed on unused school property. Some provision should be made for a more adequate and less hazardous entrance to this field. Parking space is very limited and the en- tire acreage does not afford sufficient space for a base ball field, except as it encroaches upon the track and foot ball area. A base ball field should be 300' x 325'. The present acreage does not permit the construction of a swimming and wading pool. An area for ice hockey is also needed. Under Section Six-Recom- mendations-you will note reference for the acquisi- tion of additional land.
Heights Field
Plans for the new Heights Field include a foot ball field, base ball field, playground ball field, athletic field, children's playground and tennis courts. An entrance will have to be provided by a bridge from Massachu- setts Ave. and a shelter house with toilet facilities, built.
Meadow Brook Park
Fields here will be provided for secondary foot ball, field hockey and playground base ball. Three tennis courts and a children's playground can be accommodated on the south side. An entrance should be constructed on the west side from the Mystic Valley
359
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Parkway and a shelter house with toilet facilities built.
Menotomy Rocks Park
Plans for activities here include skating on Hill's Pond and a children's playground now under construc- tion. A shelter house is needed.
Spy Pond Park
This is a landscape area only. No provision for activities is contemplated.
Turkey Hill Terrace
L
This is an area of 11.1 acres located on Forest Street in the northern section of the town. It has no ground available for activities.
PROPOSED PARK AREAS
Norcross Field
It is desirable to have a playground for small chil- dren within one-quarter mile of the home of all chil- dren under six years of age. With the increase in population in this section a playground area is needed here.
Wellington Memorial Pool
It is the purpose of the Women's Club of Arling- ton to cooperate with the Park Commission in the building of a swimming pool to be known as the "Well- ington Memorial." A location on Grove street, north of the Arlington Gas Light Co. property is proposed.
Arlington's total of municipally owned land for park and recreation purposes, including the Senior High Field, total approximately 72 acres. According to accepted standards in wise city planning the minimum provision should be made for one acre to every one hun- dred people, which would mean that the minimum for
360
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Arlington should be 320 acres. Existing areas are well located in relation to the centres of population. There is no public responsibility for the tremendous group of young people from approximately sixteen years up to twenty-five and older. The city greatly lacks facilities for this large group. One of the greatest needs is ex- perienced leadership for the development of a year round recreation program. The present semi-private and private organizations are active and doing all they can to enrich the life of their neighborhood and city. However, a much broader and well balanced program could operate if the municipality furnished sufficient funds to provide sound experienced leadership, and provide for sufficient areas and equipment to bring the entire recreation system somewhere near the standard for cities of thirty thousand in population.
Out of 815 cities in the United States only 26 have vested their managing authority of public recreation through the city council or aldermanic board. Some cities nominate the park board as the governing recrea- tion board, others function under the school board. However, it is the consensus of opinion that the most effective method of control based on the experiences of several hundred cities during the past quarter cen- tury is that of the Recreation Commission. The rea- sons for this are that the Park Board may control park space, buildings or facilities very essential to the suc- cess of many recreational activities, or other recrea- tional plans may necessitate the use of buildings or areas controlled by the School Board or it may seem essential that certain leadership or labor should be fur- nished by the city itself. Therefore, when representa- tion of all these boards or commissions are combined in one recreation commission the entire problem is simplified, and quick, effective action may be taken without the annoyance or lack of understanding which is often encountered where each board is entirely sep-
361
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
arate, and thinks only in terms of its respective sphere of activities. Arlington should be justly proud of the large number of organizations and institutions doing splendid work in their respective fields. There is, how- ever, a decided need for the municipality through its rec- reational departments to coordinate and make effective use of these facilities and leadership which exist.
This makes evident very clearly the need for a trained, experienced year around recreation executive to act as the dynamic motive force to carry forward the entire balanced system of public recreation.
WHY RECREATION IS NEEDED
The effectiveness of the city's public recreation service cannot be measured by the number or the char- acter of its parks and playgrounds alone. These are an important part of any recreation system and their development is the first step in what should be a well rounded program of public recreation for the whole city. The complexities of city life and the growing congestion of population make imperative the establish- ment of a complete recreation system and program whereby the spare hours from childhood to maturity may be properly and profitably occupied. It should be remembered that under proper administration play- ground activities furnish opportunity for children and youth to secure invaluable training, co-operative com- petition taking the place of gang antagonism. Conse- quently the training and educational function of the playground should not be underestimated.
The justification for so great a public undertaking is its ultimate economy in the upbuilding of citizenship which shall be sound physically and morally. Much of the expense of present correctional institutions can, in the future, be saved by a proper recreational program today. In presenting a report of the facilities and
362
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
needs of public recreation in Arlington we wish to point out that there is a growing conviction on the part of the American people that adequate provision for the organization of wholesome recreation and spare time activities is a necessity and should be supported by public funds.
States are increasingly passing legislation in the nature of home rule bills, making it possible for cities, counties, towns and school districts legally to meet this growing need. In 1923, 680 cities spent $13,948,054.00 for public recreation. In 1925, 663 cities spent $18,- 816,163.55 and there were 17,177 employed recreation leaders. In 1927, 815 cities spent $32,191,763.00 and there were 19,825 employed recreation leaders.
Of the three necessary elements of successful rec- reation, space, equipment and leadership, leadership is the most important. Particularly from the stand- point of children, the ability of the leader determines largely the character building effect of the program which is designed to train for citizenship in its broadest aspects. The health, happiness and well being of every child depends upon the foresight which the city uses in providing in addition to its effective school system, a well organized and adequately supervised recreation system.
For adults, both leadership and adequate provision is as necessary as for children, though for different rea- sons, play to the child means growth and it is through play that the child finds its place in society, for the adult play and wholesome self-expression through spare time activities means the maintenance of a well- balanced life.
Expectation of life is rapidly extended for those now being born, but little headway is being made with the adult group in middle life, in overcoming the strain
363
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
of modern business and industrial life-the organic and degenerative diseases apparently being on the in- crease at all ages from 30 years. Therefore in making provision for public recreation the city should think in terms of the entire population. Juvenile delinquency is not only increasing in large cities, but in less densely populated centers as well. Such increase is as a rule of the mischief type and generally misdirected energy. Careful studies show that this is largely the problem of proper leadership in wholesome activities during spare time. Delinquency has repeatedly been reduced from 25% to 75% on provision of proper recreation facilities.
Loss from . preventable illness is estimated at $1,800,000.00 a year. Among industrial workers the loss is estimated $700,000,000 from illness of which 42% is said to be preventable.
The three chief requirements for production among industrial workers would appear to be, 1-Efficiency, which means physical fitness. 2-Cooperation, which means team play, and 3-Decrease in labor turnover. These are all largely problems of living conditions and largely in the field of spare time activities.
The increasing monotony of industrial work due to specialization is now recognized, the lack of oppor- tunity for recreation and self-expression having largely increased in many of the more highly organized forms of industry ; this has made for unrest and shows clearly the need for the organization under trained leadership, and in spare time, of opportunities for cul- tural development and self-expression. This has a large bearing without doubt on labor turn-over which is given by authorities as from 63 per cent to as high as 818 per cent, the latter figure for the Great Lakes shipping industry in 1917.
364
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The increase of the number of hours of spare time with the general adoption of the shorter working day and the further development in the introduction of legislation prohibiting the labor of those under sixteen years of age adds to the importance of this provision.
The increasing strain of modern business and pro- fessional life is also clearly recognized and the need for a more balanced life to offset the strain again emphasizes the need for adult recreation. Adult insan- ity from strain of modern life is increasing rapidly and indicates the need for a better balanced life for adults.
Modern labor saving devices have given millions of women, for the first time, adequate leisure, and provi- sions should be made to meet it; in other words, the city officials must become in reality "City Fathers" and recognize that the city has become the large "home" and plan accordingly.
With the present work for the children the lead- ership must be of the highest type; these leaders must be great generals of children. Their job is that of giv- ing the dynamic direction to childish activity.
Every moment of playground time must be full of things to do-here lies the test of leadership. They must be things the children like to do and at the same time they must be things that further some constructive purpose from the leaders' ideals and training. With adult recreation the need is for the discovery of neigh- borhoods, groups and leaders, from among the people and the development of recreation on the neighborhood basis as well as on a city-wide basis in the use of large park areas.
The wider and more extended use of park areas and the multiplying of opportunities for active partici- pation by increasingly large numbers offers a most
365
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
interesting problem for leadership. Last year 263 cities reported municipal golf courses, while 521 cities reported 6,977 tennis courts.
It is to be hoped that as a result of right leader- ship within two generations we may have developed a people who spontaneously will participate in leisure time activities for their own sake, realizing the connec- tion between and the bearing of these activities to the more abundant life.
All basic plans for a recreation system must neces- sarily be predicated upon the distribution of popula- tion.
Children's playgrounds, neighborhood recreation parks, museums, golf courses, auditoriums and other special facilities designed to serve the city as a whole, accessibility to the largest possible number of people should always be the primary consideration. Back of the official group developing the recreation program, whether under the Board of Education, under a Recrea- tion Commission, or under a Park Board, there is need of a Recreation Council made up of representatives of the various Civic, Social and Philanthropic organiza- tions as well as of the various agencies of religious education.
This group becomes a strong factor in the educa- tion of not only the organizations which they represent, but also of the public at large. The task and challenge of the recreation program is that of seeing that every group. in the population is reached, that volunteer leadership is found and trained, and that increasing numbers of individuals shall regularly take part in activities suited to their needs.
This group by a Committee plan can be given direct responsibility for many departments of the work under
366
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
the Superintendent of Recreation. Arlington has the opportunity to develop plans for the future and the opportunity of becoming increasingly an exceptional city in which to live.
Less emphasis upon size is being noted in cities to- day. The new emphasis is being placed on more nor- mal conditions of living which are expressed in broad provision for the educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the citizens, and the ideals of character re- placing that of material emphasis.
MUNICIPAL PROVISION FOR RECREATION
The following financial statistics will be of interest in showing the comparison between Arlington and other cities of the United States. In 1927, 815 United States cities report an expenditure of $32,191,763.00 of which $15,184,034.00 was expended for land, buildings and permanent equipment. $4,432,361.00 was expended for upkeep, supplies, incidentals, and $8,471,944.00 was expended for salaries. Therefore, the expenditure for public recreation for each of 815 cities was $39,300.00. The average expenditure for each of 815 cities for salaries and general upkeep was $15,870.00 and the average for each of 815 cities for land, buildings and permanent equipment spent during 1927 was $23,430.00.
The list of cities shown below will give a fair con- ception of the recreation appropriations made in cities under 30,000. These cities you will note are scattered from coast to coast.
City
Population
South Manchester, Conn.
.20,000
Amount $30,000.00
Daytona Beach, Fla.
25,000
38,354.54
Lakeland, Fla.
25,000
33,435.00
Maywood, Ill.
26,250
10,776.29
Belleville, N. J.
28,000
88,500.00
Moorestown, N. J.
7,500
13,810.00
Summit, N. J.
.14,000
16,673.00
367
1
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
MASSACHUSETTS STATISTICS
City
Population
Amount
Belmont
17,000
$ 9,165.00
Brockton
43,000
36,833.00
Framingham
.20,000
17,500.00
Melrose
23,000
15,300.00
Norwood
.15,000
21,801:00
Taunton
41,000
15,000.00
Waltham
35,000
19,650.00
Watertown
.30,000
5,368.00
SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR GAMES AND SPORTS
The following table of the principal games and sports engaged in by young people and adults gives the dimensions of the play areas and the estimated amount of space required. No official rules have been adopted for some of the games listed and the dimensions given, especially for use areas, are merely approximate. Greater or less space may be provided, depending upon local conditions. Some games, like tennis, require a great deal of free space around the court, while others, like croquet or roque, require very little if any beyond the border of the playing court.
Children's Playgrounds
Name
Dimensions
Use
Space sq. ft. 62,500 3,750 706
No. of Players 18
Baseball
75' diamond 250'x250'
Basketball
35'x60'
50'x75'
10-12
Clock golf
Circle 20'x24' 30' circle in dia.
any number (4-8)
Croquet
30'x60
30'x60'
1,800
any number (4-8)
Field hockey
150'x270'
150'x330'
49,500
22
Football
160'x360'
180'x420'
75,600
22
Hand ball
20'x30'
35'x40'
1,400
2 or 4
Horseshoes
stakes 30'
10'x40'
400
2 or 4
apart
Playground ball
45' diamond 125'x125'
15,625
20
Soccer
150'x300'
150'x360'
54,000
22
Tennis
27'x78'
(single)
36'x78'
50×120
6,000
2 or 4
(double)
Volley ball
25'x50'
40×60
2,400
12-16
368
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Playgrounds for Adults
Name
Dimensions
Use
Space sq. ft. 97,500
No. of Players
Baseball
90' diamond
300'x325' (or more) 60'x100'
6,000
10
Bowling green
14'x110'
(average) 120'x120'
14,400
32-64
Clock golf
Circle 20' x
30' circle
706
any number
24' in dia.
wickets 66'
420' circle
138,545
22
Croquet
20'x60'
30'x60'
1,800 any number
Field hockey
150'x270' (min) 180'x300' (max)
180'x330'
59,400
22
Football
160'x360'
180'x420'
75,000
22
Hand ball
20'x34'
40'×50'
2,000
2 or 4
Hand tennis
16'x40'
25'x50'
1,250
2 or 4
Horseshoes
stakes 40' apart
10'x50'
500
2 or 4
Lacrosse
210'x450'(min) 250'x500'
125,000
24
Playground
35' or 45'
ball
diam.
150'x150'
22,500
20
Polo
600'x960'
600'x960'
576,000
8
Quoits
stakes 54'
25'x80'
2,000
2 or 4
Roque
30'x60'
30'x60'
1,800
4
Shuffleboard
10'x40' to 50'
15'x50'
750
2 or 4
Soccer
150'x300'(min)
75,600
22
Tennis
27'x78' (single)
2
36'x78' (double)
7,200
4
Volley ball
30'x60'
50'x80'
4,000
12-16
Recreation Halls
We found the following assembly halls available for community gathering :
The Robbins Memorial Hall
D. A. R. Hall
Menotomy Hall
Crescent Hall
Golf Clubs
Arlington has no organized golf club, but golf players use the neighboring clubs, Winchester, Arl- mont and Belmont.
Commercial Recreation
Arlington is particularly fortunate in its control
18
Basketball
50'x94' (max)
35'x60' (min)
(1 alley)
Cricket
apart
(4-8)
(aver.)
255'x540' (max)
(aver)
apart
300'x390' (max)
369
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
of commercial recreation. There are no licensed dance halls or pool rooms. Indoor recreation being confined to three bowling alleys and two moving picture theatres.
Churches
The cooperation of the Arlington churches listed below would be a help in promoting an adequate leisure time program :
Arlington Heights Baptist Church of our Saviour
Calvary Methodist Episcopal
Trinity Baptist
Park Ave. Congregational
First Methodist Episcopal The Orthodox Congrega-
First Baptist Church, Arlington
tional
St. James Catholic
First Universalist
St. Agnes Catholic
First Congregational Parish (Unitarian)
St. John's Episcopal
Clubs and Organizations
Service clubs and local organizations are a great aid for self-expression in community life. We found the following in Arlington :
Arlington Chamber of Commerce
Arlington Woman's Club
Girl Scouts of America Searchlight Club
Boy Scouts of America Arlington Teachers Club
Arlington Post No. 39, Sunshine Club
Am. Legion
American Legion Auxiliary, Rotary Club Arlington Post 39
B. P. O. Elks, Arlington Kiwanis Club Lodge 1435
Knights of Columbus Daughters of the Am.
Council, No. 109 Revolution
Arlington Visiting Nursing Middlesex Sportsman's Ass'n Ass'n
Florence Crittenden League The Friends of the Drama Arlington Circle Arlington Historical Society
370
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Robbins Library
The children's room in the Robbins Library under leadership could be both a recreational asset as well as educational. Modern public library planning provides for story telling and other children's activities.
CONCLUSIONS
Organization
We find that the logical and constructive action for Arlington is to unify its recreation system. See recommendation Number one.
Year Round Director
That a thoroughly trained and competent director of recreation be employed in order to coordinate all the resources of the city and supervise a worth while pro- gram for the conservation of the play and recreation time of children and adults.
This should require all of his time and attention. It is very rarely true that any one can do justice to community recreation work, unless he gives his entire time to it.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.