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Playgrounds are a necessary part
of the city's summer life. They
keep boys and girls off the streets
and thru supervised play give them
needed guidance. The fact that
playgrounds are sponsored by WPA
and that the supervisors are paid
to do their work does not minimize
the unusual energy and ingenuity
used in promoting playground ac¬
tivities .
—Lorain Journal
***********
Without Federal aid,we would?till
be subj ected to the hazards of chil¬
dren playing in the streets....
Every parent should send his child
to the playgrounds and show the
Recreation Board and the Works Pro¬
gress Administration that we are
appreciative of the fine thing they
have started for us.
—Girard News
"All work undertaken in
the recreation field makes
a permanent contribution to
better living conditions and
increased opportunities for
more abundant living. This
investment in recreational
leadership pays for itself
in the positive values cre¬
ated for society and in the
reduction which can be ulti¬
mately expected in tax costs
for delinquency, ill health
and accidents. "
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U. -.S. r^rl. Works Arjry.c ■(
Condensation of a Report of Progress
on "Community Organization for Leisure-
Time Activities" — A Program of the
WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION IN OHIO
Carl Watson, Administrator.
Prepared by the Writers' Project and
reproduced for the information of com¬
munity leaders, teachers, local of¬
ficials,and members of citizens' com¬
mittees who have indicated their inter¬
est in these community programs
\vpa. RGCReoTioncommuniTY oRGamzonon for loisurs Time activitigs
One of the most important social contributions of the Works Progress
Administration in Ohio is the operation of 116 Recreation Projects
employing more than 3,000 men and women. Training and guidance in
leisure-time activities have been recognized as the essential basis for
a permanent program for community recreation in Ohio. At the recent
conference of Recreation Supervisors called by Dr. Carl Watson, Ohio
WPA Administrator, the State Supervisor of Recreation, Noel H. Petree,
said: "Citizens and communities are just beginning to awaken to the
fact that recreation is as much a civic function as the provisions for
safety, health and welfare. It is the aim of WPA to lead the way in
setting up a recognized state-wide recreational system which will
function permanently." For this purpose, unemployed people fitted for
recreational leadership have been given intensive training at insti¬
tutes held by WPA Recreation Supervisors with the close cooperation of
local recreation departments, schools and colleges. A trained person¬
nel is thus made available to direct leisure-time programs needed in
rural and urban communities. The WPA Recreation Projects are operating
in public buildings, play areas, athletic fields, swimming pools and
other community centers in 68 Ohio counties. The program is well-
rounded, covering many phases of physical, cultural and social activi¬
ty. Games,, sports, hobbies, instruction in arts and crafts, community
service work - all these hold an important place in the program. An
endeavor is made to give instruction and guidance in any recreational
activity for persons of all ages and degrees of schooling. Cities and
counties, recognizing the value of establishing a varied recreation
program for the entire year, have cooperated by supplying teachers and
by pledging funds to the amount of $40,000 for supplies and equipment.
At present nearly 20,000 citizens are acting as sponsors and advisors
on local committees. Public support of the program has resulted in
daily attendance of more than 200,000 at recreation centers. Insti¬
tutions such as settlement houses and Y.M.C.A.'s have found WPA Recre¬
ation services indespensible in strengthening contacts with groups in
their communities. The program has also become an important factor in
juvenile crime prevention. Recreation Projects now operating in the
state represent a wide variety of leisure-time interests. Amateur dra¬
matics occupy the spotlight in the programs of Cincinnati, Lima, Day¬
ton, Akron and Cleveland. The Hobby Activities project in Cincinnati
has attracted many interested in model airplane construction, photo¬
graphy and stamp collecting. A course in carpentry is being conducted
at Chillicothe, scraps and old materials being converted into useful
articles. Orchestral and choral groups have been active throughout
the state, and nature study has aroused surprising interest. In Cleve¬
land alone,at tendance at various recreation project activities totaled
1,238,110 during two weeks of August. ...The foregoing items give some
indication of the broad scope and state-wide support of this program..
"These projects are assi sting Oh io com¬
munities to lay the foundation for a
coordinated program of leisure-time ac¬
tivities, which should be interwoven
into community life in such a way as
to make them an indispensable source
of social and creative activity."
—Eduard C. Lindeman
National Director
Recreation Program
"The Recreation Program not only fur¬
nishes employment for worthy people,
but also provides worthwhile leisure-
time activities for people of all ages
and groups. These projects form avery
important part of the government's re¬
covery program.
—D. S. Spangler
Superintendent of Schools
Mercer County
"I heartily endorse the splendid WPA
Recreation Program which is carried on
under the sponsorship of the Recreation
Commission of the City of Cincinnati.
A good work is being done and results
clearly indicate even greater benefits
which the citizens of Cincinnati may
expect to derive in the future. "
—Russell Wilson
Mayor of Cincinnati
"I want to express the confidence which
Canton's Recreation Board feels in the
fine WPA Recreation Program which is
being developed in Ohio in cooperation
with local sponsors. "
—C. W. Schnake
Recreation Director
Canton, Ohio