Full text of Facilities for Children's Play in the District of Columbia, Miscellaneous Series No. 8, Bureau Publication No. 22

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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

CHILDREN’S BUREAU
JULIA C. LATHROP, Chief

FACILITIES
FOR CHILDREN’S P L A Y IN THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

M IS C E L L A N E O U S SERIES N o. 8
Bureau Publication N o. 22

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1917

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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.

Letter of transmittal.....................................................
Introduction......................
Has Washington a congested population ? . . . ........ ......... .........................................
What the children are doing........................................................................................
Dangers of street play.....................................................................................................
General principles of public recreation.................................... .................... ; ...........
Public recreation facilities and their administration................................................
Voluntary provision for recreation......................................................... .....................
Commercial recreation.....................................................................................................
Recommendations.............................. ................. '................................................. ........
Intensive studies of health districts...................................................
Summary.................................................
Appendix...............................
Tables..................................................
Laws affecting recreation in the District of Columbia......................................
Map of Washington, showing health districts......................................... Faces
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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
U. S. D epartm ent

of

L abor,

C hildren ’s B u reau ,

Washington, December 5, 1916.
: I transmit herewith a report on facilities for children’s play
in the District o f Columbia. This report necessarily touches upon
recreation facilities in general, because children share in many of
them; but its especial purpose is to show the present equipment for
children’s use and to suggest the further provisions for outdoor life
needed for children of different ages.
The study was undertaken at the request o f Mr. Oliver P. New­
man, president o f the Board of Commissioners o f the District o f
Columbia, and has been made by the Children’s Bureau and the
playground department of the District of Columbia with the co­
operation o f various agencies. The detailed survey by health dis­
tricts was planned and carried out under the direction of Mr.
Edgar S. Martin, then supervisor o f playgrounds of the District o f
Columbia, and Dr. F. A. McKenzie, now president of Fisk Uni­
versity. The charts were prepared by the playground department
and completed under the direction of Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes, the
present supervisor of playgrounds. The bureau is indebted to the
courtesy of the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds for the map.
Especial mention should be made o f the assistance rendered by the
board of education and officials of the public schools, by the District
health department, the District engineer department, and the Met­
ropolitan police. The report has had the benefit o f criticism and
advice from Mr. E. B. De Groot, head of school recreation facilities
in San Francisco. Mr. De Groot was in charge of the first large
development of playground facilities in this country, that of the
South Park Board, in Chicago, and the section on principles of
public recreation is based on a statement prepared by him for the
Children’s Bureau.
The president o f the Board of Commissioners and the Chief o f the
Children’s Bureau united in inviting the aid o f a volunteer com­
mittee to advise upon various suggestions made as to the location of
play spaces. This committee consisted o f Rev. John Yan Schaick, jr.,
president o f the board o f education; Mrs. Ernest P. Bicknell, of
S ir

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LETTER OP TRANSMITTAL.

the board o f children’s guardians; and Col. W. W. Harts, officer in
charge o f public buildings and grounds. The bureau is indebted to
them for most careful and discriminating reading of the report and
for advice based upon intimate acquaintance with the District. The
material has been put in final form for publication by Miss Anna
Rochester and Mr. Howard C. Jenness, o f the Children’s Bureau.
Respectfully submitted.
J u lia C. L athrop , Chief.

Hon. W

il l ia m

B. W ilson ,
Secretary o f Labor.


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FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN’S PLAY IN THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
INTRODUCTION.
The skillful planning of a French engineer, L ’Enfant, made the
original city of Washington beautiful with parks and open squares.
A century later a commission of experts drafted plans for the de­
velopment o f the new park system which will ultimately encircle the
city with a double chain o f parks, extending at several points to the
boundaries o f the District, carefully laid out to preserve and
heighten every kind o f natural beauty that the District possesses.1
These open squares and outlying parks can not meet the daily
play needs of children, and this report is an attempt to measure
these needs and to formulate a general plan for satisfying them. The
study has been concerned primarily with the play needs o f children—
that is, o f all persons under 21 years o f age; but in order fairly to
present their needs and opportunities all the recreation facilities of
Washington have been reviewed.
The report aims to present (1) the facts concerning density of
population in Washington with special reference to. children (pp. 7
to 17); (2) the types o f recreation facilities which should be avail­
able in any city (pp. 17,18); (3) the recreation facilities in Washing­
ton and their administration, with recommendations concerning
their future development (pp. 18 to 3 2); (4) detailed information
concerning population, school buildings, and playgrounds and other
recreation facilities in 25 health districts (pp. 32 to 5 9 ); and (5) a
summary o f the report (pp. 60, 61).
HAS WASHINGTON A CONGESTED POPULATION?
Persons who go through Rock Creek Park, around the Speedway,
or out Sixteenth Street to the reservoir and then eastward to the
Soldiers’ Home hardly think o f Washington as a congested city.
And where these people go no congestion exists. However, i f
any o f these pleasure seekers should turn off the Speedway and
1
The Improvement of the Park System of the District o f Columbia.
sess., S. Kept. No. 166.)

(57th Cong., 1st

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strike into the section known as “ South Washington,” or should
drive east from Sixteenth Street through the district south of Florida
Avenue, they would find neighborhoods not only badly congested but
almost totally unprovided with recreation facilities. Some neighbor­
hoods with a population as big as many towns have no play spaces
for children and no means o f recreation for adults except motion
pictures, pool rooms, and saloons.
When the District of Columbia was set aside for Federal purposes,
L ’Enfant laid out a city plan with streets running north and south
and east and west and broad avenues cutting obliquely across the
city. The boundary o f Washington on the west was Rock Creek;
on the east the Anacostia River; and Florida Avenue was roughly
the northern boundary. The Potomac River lay to the south, and
what is now “ South Washington ” was then called “ the island ”
because o f creeks that separated it from the region north of Pennsyl­
vania Avenue NW.
That was “ old Washington.” The rest o f the District of Colum­
bia was called “ the county.” A ll that is now Mount Pleasant,
Cleveland Park, Le Droit Park, Anacostia, Petworth, and the other
northern and northwestern sections outside of Florida Avenue, etc.,
was farm and forest, and not until the last two decades has there
been any marked development. Georgetown was a separate munici­
pality at first.
Because o f a lack o f car lines and o f city improvements in the
way o f water, light, good roads, fire protection, etc., the develop­
ment o f the city was for nearly a century within the bounds laid
down by L ’Enfant. Within these bounds the greatest density of
population and greatest lack o f recreation facilities are to be found.
Outside, in “ the country ”—in Chevy Chase, Cleveland Park, Petworth, and all the other suburbs, and in the Mount Pleasant dis­
trict—there were, in 1913, 119,212 inhabitants, scattered in sections
with widely different conditions: one, in Mount Pleasant, with a
density o f 64.8 to the acre; others in which farms are still flourish­
ing. , The average population density o f all the health districts out­
side o f the original city was about 7 to the acre.
Figures show that this region outside of the original city limits
is growing rapidly. The police census begun April 10, 1907, gave
87,896 persons living in the District o f Columbia outside o f the orig­
inal limits of Washington, while six years later the census begun
April 28,1913, showed for the same area a population of 119,212. In
1907 the original city had a population of 241,695, while in 1913
the population for the same area was 234,085.1
1 The census of 1915 has been made available since this study was compiled and shows
that the same shifting of population has continued. Original city in 1915, 2 26,989 ;
county, 130,760.


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Table showing population of District of Columbia in original city and in
county ” at five successive censuses by the police.
Original city.

1907 ____________________- ________________________________
1908 ______________________________ — ____________________
1909 _______ _________________________________ _____________
1912 ___'__________________ ....______________^____ ' ________
19 13 ______________________________________________ _

241, 695
247,323
244,180
238, 346
234, 085

“

the

County.

87, 896
92,080
98, 823
114, 590
119, 212

The population of the original city has steadily decreased since
1908 at an average rate of about 1 per cent a year, while the popula­
tion o f “ the county ” has increased about 5.8 per -cent a year during
the same period. As business encroaches on residence districts the
inhabitants o f the city are obliged to crowd more closely together.
The actual decrease in the population does not compensate for the
steady increase in the amount of property used entirely or partly
for business purposes.
An observer has only to traverse the length o f Columbia Eoad to
note’ the tendency toward large apartment houses which afford no
ground for outdoor life for tenants. Between January 1, 1911, and
July 1, 1916, 384 multiple dwellings were opened for occupancy in
the 20 health districts o f the old city and in Georgetown, and 93
multiple dwellings in the new outlying districts. In addition, 131
apartment houses were in course o f construction on July 1, 1916, o f
which 33 were in outlying sections. The need o f playgrounds for
small children and airing places for babies with mothers and nurses
is already evident even in the favored district along Columbia Eoad,
and it is obvious that unoccupied property privately owned will not
afford permanent provision.
It is well to remind ourselves that old Georgetown was a play­
ground for the grandfathers of the present younger generation
o f the city. East o f Lincoln Park “ the commons” was a baseball
ground for the entire eastern section of the city. Georgetown is now
crowded with people, and “ the commons ” is now studded with rows
upon rows o f houses built within the last two decades. Who can say
that 20 years more may not see the same brick and asphalt develop­
ment in the suburban sections o f the present day ?
Two-thirds o f the 100,000 young people o f Washington, together
with nearly 170,000 adults, lived in 1913 within the boundaries o f
the original city, which includes all land lying south o f Florida
Avenue and east o f Eock Creek and is approximately 4^ miles long
and , averages about 2£ miles in width. In comparison with the
density of population on Manhattan Island, where 2,500,000 people
live on a strip o f land 10 miles long and about 2 miles wide, or in
comparison with the dense populations o f other great industrial
cities, the condition in Washington does not suggest a high degree

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o f congestion. The greatest density was found in the 59 blocks1
where the number of inhabitants per acre was from 200 to 299, and
in 9 little congested spots2 where they averaged 300 or more to the
acre.
Yet the spacious streets and low-built dwellings, and the open
squares which dot certain sections of the city, by their very contrast
to conditions elsewhere, tend to obscure the facts about space avail­
able for play. Street area does not serve for recreation. Street
play at best is a sorry makeshift, and in Washington it is forbidden
by law. Here the street area is officially measured not from curb
to curb but from building line to building line, and sidewalks are not
legally available for play. When the streets, occupying more than
half the acreage o f the original city, were excluded, as they must be
in any practical consideration o f density in relation to play, there
remained, in 1913, 2,615 acres for the 234,085 persons living in the
old city, or an average of 89.5 to the acre.
Further, we find that when street areas were excluded 9 3 o f the 20
health districts o f the old city had population densities varying from
100.2 to 135.8 per acre, and in these 9 districts lived 102,956 adults and
36,271 children and young people under 20 years o f age. Only 4,414
(or approximately 1 in 15) o f the children and young people in the
original city lived in the 3 districts4 where population density was
less than 50 persons to the acre.
North o f the original city 3 other health districts5 showed a density
o f population greater than 50 persons to the acre. And it should be
noted that in the whole northern section o f the city, which has been
growing rapidly in recent years, the streets are narrower than in the
original city 6 and little provision has been made for reserving fre­
quent small open spaces as park areas.
Let us look now at some o f the more closely built up neighborhoods
in the original city.
In the heart of the city is an old neighborhood, district No. 10,
bounded on the north by K Street NW., on the east by North Capitol
Street, on the west by a zigzag line composed o f Seventh Street be1 F ifty-six blocks in health districts 1 to 2 0 ; three in health districts 35 and 38.
2 Triangle bounded by South Carolina Avenue, Twelfth Street, and C Street S E .;
square bounded by Second, M , and N Streets S W . and James Creek C a n a l; triangle
bounded by Virginia Avenue, Seventh Street, and I Street S E .; square bounded by
Ninth, Tenth, and K Streets and New York Avenue N W .; triangle bounded by New
Jersey Avenue, Fourth Street, and N Street N W .; triangle bounded by Vermont Avenue,
Eleventh Street, and R Street N W .; triangle bounded by Seventeenth Street, V Street,
and Florida Avenue N W .; triangle bounded by Maryland, Eighth Street, and
D Street N E .; triangle bounded by Fourteenth Street, H Street, and Florida Avenue NE.
3 Health districts Nos. 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 15. and 17.
4 Health districts Nos. 4, 12, and 20.
5 Health districts Nos. 33, 35, and 36.
6 In 20 health districts o f original city, streets measured from building line to building
line occupy 54 per cent o f the area. In the newer districts north o f the city, streets
occupy only 3 0 per cent of the total area.


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tween G and K Streets, Fifth Street between D and G Streets, and
John Marshall Place between D Street and Pennsylvania Avenue,
and on the south by Pennsylvania Avenue and D Street. It is a
neighborhood in which development seems to have ceased, so far as
building operations go, and which has a mixture of residential and
business population. None o f the blocks with greatest density, 800
or more to the acre, were to be found here, but six blocks within this
district had from 200 to 299 persons to the acre. O f the total popu­
lation o f 15,693, 2,722 were white people under 20 years o f age,
and 909 were colored young people under 20. The children o f gradeschool a g e1 who are in special need o f play space numbered 1,245
white and 381 colored.
This district is one o f the neediest so far as recreation facilities
are concerned, notwithstanding the fact that a portion o f the Capitol
grounds as well as the Botanic Garden, with their “ keep off the
grass” warnings, fringe the southern boundary; that it has in its
midst the great Judiciary Square; and that it is dotted with little
“ triangles,” parks of a few square feet. These open spaces, how­
ever, have few benches for adults or sand piles for children. Only
one o f the four schools in this neighborhood has a school playground
open for a few weeks in the summer, and one o f the others has a
yard equipped for play.
Northwest o f district 10 and touching it tip to tip at the square
occupied by the Public Library is another populous district, No. 6,
in the heart o f the business section, where 17,097 people lived in 1913.
Its boundaries are New York Avenue on the south, Fifteenth Street
on the west, Seventh Street on the east, and Rhode Island Avenue on
the north. It had one block, bounded by Tenth Street, K Street, and
New York Avenue, on which the densest population was to be found,
over 300 to the acre. As in other neighborhoods in the heart o f the
city, business has crept along the main streets, and many people
live in apartments over stores with no place for the children to play.
The population o f this district included more than 3,000 young
people, o f whom 2,384 were white and 692 colored.2 For these young
folk the opportunities for other than commercial recreation are
limited. The Strong John Thomson School has a yard equipped
for play, and Franklin Park, one of the most spacious and beautiful
o f the city squares, is in this district. It offers no play facilities,
however, except a sand pile for the small children. The greatest
blessing in the neighborhood is the Public Library, which is used
by people from all parts of the city and offers a variety o f social,
intellectual, and recreational opportunities for its neighbors.
1 Five to 1 4 f inclusive.
2 W hite, 588 under 5 years, 1,100 from 5 to 14, and 696 from 15 to 1 9 ; colored, 187
under 5, 301 from 5 to 14, and 204 from 15 to 19.


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The boundaries o f health district No. 7 are Third Street and
John Marshall Place between Missouri Avenue and D Street, Fifth
Street between D and G Streets, and Seventh Street between G
Street and New York Avenue on the east; New York Avenue on
the north; Fifteenth Street on the west; and B Street and Mis­
souri Avenue on the south. This district has the largest and per­
haps the best-attended o f the motion-picture houses and the city’s
theaters, many o f the banks, and the big hotels. A t first glance
it seems so purely and simply a business district with a daytime
population that one is surprised to learn that 8,245 people resided in
it in 1913. O f these, over 1,000 were white young people under 20
years o f age and about 100 colored young people. Practically the
entire space is given over to streets and buildings, and those who
live in this neighborhood have little place for outdoor recreation
except the streets. The children of this section, hedged in by build­
ings, do not have ready access to free play spaces since the nearest
playgrounds are not within walking distance.
Standing in the portico o f the House of Representatives and look­
ing directly southward toward the Potomac River one can take in at
a glance all o f “ South Washington,” or what is known on the healthdistrict maps as districts Nos. 8, 11, and 12. The population in one
o f these three health districts—No. 11—is overwhelmingly colored,
and some o f the bad alley conditions to be remedied under the new
alley-elimination law are there within sight of the Capitol. The
houses are not thickly set, but the need for recreation facilities is
great. It is a neighborhood where a majority of the people are
earning small wages.
South Washington extends from the wharves of Washington Har­
bor on the west all the way to the long, straight, and unbeautified
South Capitol Street on the east. Yet the children o f school age, o f
whom there were, in 1913, 2,937 white and 1,877 colored, find in all
this area, even in midsummer, only four playgrounds, the Bowen
and Jefferson School Playgrounds for white children and the Cardozo and Willow Tree Park Municipal Playgrounds for colored
children. They find only two small school yards with play equip­
ment, the Fairbrother for the white and the Bell for the colored.
The Arsenal Grounds are in this section and are used by the em­
ployees o f the Arsenal for various sports.
The river stretches a long way around South Washington, but no
opep land or pavilion is provided from which men, women, and
children can enjoy the waterside breezes on a hot night.
The strip o f South Washington which has the largest and densest
colored population goes in a straight belt from the Capitol Grounds
and the Botanic Garden south to the river, between South Capitol
Street on the east and Four-and-a-half Street on the west. James

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Creek, which helped make the one-time “ island,” is being filled in for
sanitary reasons, and it is hoped that it may serve as a boulevard,
with a long narrow parkway and a drive on either side.
Special need for social centers and other play facilities exists in the
neighborhood known as health district No. 9, bounded on the north
by Florida Avenue, on the south by K Street, on the west by Seventh
Street, and on the east by North Capitol Street. Seventh Street
carries retail business all the way to the end of this neighborhood,
but in general it is a dense residential section. One block has over
300 people to the acre—the triangle at Fourth Street, N Street, and
New Jersey Avenue NW.
r
The 19 schoolhouses o f the neighborhood include the new Dunbar
High School between N and O Streets NW., the McKinley Manual
Training School, the old Central High School, and the Armstrong
Manual Training School, but none o f them has been a center for
social activities. For the 3,401 white young people and the 3,222
colored young people in this district even in summer only three play­
grounds are provided—one district playground and one school play­
ground for white children, and one school playground for colored
children. Two o f the other white schools and one o f the other
colored schools have yards equipped for play.
Just south o f the new Central High School is a district very poor
in recreation opportunities which will in all probability use the
facilities to be developed in connection with this school. On the map
this district is No. 5, bounded by Rhode Island Avenue on the south,
Fifteenth Street on the west, Florida Avenue on the north, and
Seventh Street on the east. It is a crowded residential district with
sparse recreational facilities for the 2,000 white and the 2,500 colored
young people. The Grover Cleveland School is widely used as a
community center. The colored Y . M. C. A. is at Twelfth above S
Street., But the two colored schools—Garnet and Patterson—offer
no recreational opportunities except small yards equipped for play;
and Iowa Circle, the one public space in the neighborhood, has
benches but no special facilities for children’s play.
No survey o f Washington would be complete without mentioning
the 273 inhabited alleys of the city, many o f them winding, intricate,
interior courts, with odd little streets and byways within the block.
They contain, according to the police census of November 1, 1915,
9,526 inhabitants— 888 white and 8,638 colored. The squalor and
insanitary conditions produce a mortality rate within the alleys
which is almost twice that upon the streets. Qne o f the worst o f
these courts, Willow Tree Alley, containing 60 houses where between
300 and 400 Italians and colored people lived together in seclusion,
has been torn out and made into a playground. A recent act o f

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Congress1 provides for the elimination o f all inhabited alleys in the
District o f Columbia before July 1, 1918.
The greater the congestion o f population the more urgent is the
need o f ample facilities for recreation, but wherever city conditions
prevail with close building and small yards or none, public play
space should be provided.
WHAT THE CHILDREN ARE DOING.
What are Washington children doing? In an effort to answer this
question detailed statements were collected by-Boy Scouts and Girl
Scouts; and by playground and settlement leaders from 1,000 white
children and 200 colored children. O f these 656 were boys and 544
were girls, and 946 of the whole number were between 10 and 14
years of age. Since these figures were gathered through clubs or­
ganized for recreation they tend perhaps to represent children whose
play opportunities are better than the average.
Where do the children play? It is significant that 48.8 per cent
o f the boys and 37.5 per cent of the girls reported play on the
streets, which is both dangerous and contrary to law. Vacant lots
were mentioned by 48 per cent o f the boys and 13.1 per cent o f the
girls.
I f the answers of these 1,200 children concerning the games they
played may be taken as an indication, an apparent scarcity of play
activities exists in Washington. Only one game, baseball, was re­
ported by as many as one-third o f the children. When the question
was put by seasons, only five kinds o f play were reported in winter
by as many as 50 children out of 1,200; and these were coasting,
roller skating, basket ball, football, and snowballing. In the spring
the list fell to three—baseball, roller skating, and jumping rope—
although 48 reported marbles and 42 tag. In the summer two kinds
o f play—baseball and swimming—were reported by 50 children or
more; in the fall three— football, basket ball, and roller skating.
Doubtless the children forget some games of past seasons. As a
check on these results, therefore, the children were asked to name all
their out-of-school activities during the week preceding the in­
quiry, November, 1914. On school days only 12 occupations were
reported by as many as 17 children o f the 1,200; only 7 by as many
as 100 children. Studies were mentioned by 243; football by 190;
“ outdoor games ” by 181; work by 159; “ play ” by 131; music by 113;
basket ball by 100.
O f the white chifdren 31.8 per cent and o f the colored children 65.5
per cent reported that they worked on Saturday.
* 3 8 Stat. L ., ch. 310, p. 716 (act of Sept. 25, 1 9 1 4 ).


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The social instinct in its wider expansion tends to find expression
in organization. Naturally, from the mode o f gathering the data, the
Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, and the Camp Fire Girls led in the list
o f organizations, yet out o f the 1,200 only 131 belonged to these new
movements; 124 boys and 90 girls said they did not belong to any
organization and did not care to belong; while 90 boys and 85 girls
said they had no opportunity to belong.
The greatest o f all commercial amusements for children is, of
course, the motion pictures. Nearly all of the 1,200 children “ went
to the movies.” Three-fourths of the white boys under 15 and prac­
tically the same proportion o f those over 15 saw a motion picture
at least once a week. O f the white girls about 63 per cent, of the
colored boys 65 per cent, and of the colored girls about 40 per cent
saw the pictures at least once a week. Only a few reported that they
never went.
O f the white boys 361 and of the white girls 274 went on summer
vacation trips. Hiking was known to 313 of the boys and 191 of the
girls. Nearly all read; many attended vaudeville and stock-company
shows; 105 boys and 18 girls bowled. Yet they wanted “ something
to do.” These same boys and girls asked for more playgrounds and
athletic grounds and gymnasiums; the largest demand was for
swimming pools.
DANGERS OF STREET PLAY.
City streets have never been desirable playgrounds, and with the
increase of swift and heavy traffic their dangers are greater to-day
than ever before. In Washington neither streets nor sidewalks—no
part, in fact, o f the area between building line and building line—
may legally be used for play, under penalty o f arrest. In the most
closely built sections o f the District 54 per cent of the area is thus
officially closed to children.
Practically, what happens to the children when adequate play
space is not provided? Under the act for the preservation o f the
public peace and the protection o f property within the District of
Columbia1 655 o f them were arrested as “ criminals ” and brought
before the juvenile court from July 1, 1914, to June 30, 1915; in
the year ended June 30, 1914, 975 were arrested.
The chief probation officer of the juvenile court is the authority for
saying that most o f the arrests of children for “ unlawful assembly ”
are made in the second police precinct, which is a direct and obvious
argument for more playgrounds. The second precinct is bounded
by K Street on the south, Q Street on the north, Fifteenth Street on
1 For sections o f the act, see Appendix, p. 67.


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the west, and First Street NE.son the east. In it were in 1913 more
than 35,000 inhabitants, including over 6,500 children under 16 years
of age. And, as has been shown in another section, this part of the
city is pitifully lacking in play facilities. In the entire precinct,
which covers about 1.5 square miles, are only three playgrounds; the
few Government reservations are merely small triangles or parkings.
In that precinct most o f the arrests of children for playing in the
streets are made in the eastern half—between Seventh Street NW.
and First Street NE. The reason is almost instantly apparent to any
one who knows the geography of that eastern half. Seventh Street
is a narrow and intensely busy thoroughfare, lined with shops and
stores, motion-picture theaters, and everything that goes to make a
retail street. Crowding upon it from all sides are cross streets in
which people live at the rate o f 200 to 300 or more an acre. Scores of
the shops in Seventh Street have family apartments above the first
floor. There are no front yards and scarcely any back yards worthy
of the name in the business and semibusiness sections. O f the area
46 per cent is in houses and 54 per cent in streets. Playgrounds are
so scarce that the children play their games on the streets, and the
records of No. 2 police station show that merchants and householders
are quick to invoke the law o f unlawful assembly when the play o f the
children irritates them.
In the center of the city boys under 17 are sometimes arrested for
standing in front o f motion-picture theaters. It would seem that they
have to keep “ moving on ” in a region where there is nothing for
them to move toward except more streets. Anyone who notices
a boy or a girl standing still on the street may invoke the law o f
unlawful assembly and have that child taken to the juvenile court.
It is refreshing to learn from the records and from observation at the
court that when the whole majesty and machinery o f the law is thus
employed to break up play on the streets the guilty criminals are
not subjected to the limit o f punishment provided for in the act.
Each case is treated with a common-sense understanding o f the situ­
ation.
Probation officers who have studied the child and street problem
in Washington say that many arrests o f newsboys for selling papers
without a license are directly traceable to a lack o f playgrounds.
One probation officer said: “ They want excitement o f some sort, and
selling 5 or 10 newspapers furnishes just the element of activity
they seek. They would be off the streets and much better employed
if there were more playgrounds.”
“ The little street larcenies, thefts o f bananas, peanuts, newspapers,
and the other things that children ‘ swipe ’ for excitement are in many
cases also traceable to a lack o f playgrounds,” said another probation
officer. “ We have noticed that when some attention was given to a

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small boy who would steal small things, and he was taken to a
playground and kept busy there, he refrained from all mischief.”
The restriction of children’s play puts upon the community a
special obligation to provide spaces where all children can legally
play without danger to themselves and annoyance to others. So
long as city neighborhoods are left barren of opportunity for safe
and legitimate play, so long will high spirits and ingenuity and
the normal boy’s desire for activity involve the possibility of a court
experience.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RECREATION.
O f the three necessary elements of successful recreation—space,
equipment, and leadership— leadership is perhaps the most impor­
tant. The ability of the leader determines whether play space and
play equipment will hold the interest of children accustomed to the
irresponsibility of the street and the effortless pleasures o f the motion
pictures. This, at least, public recreation must accomplish. It must
successfully compete with the various dangers and excitements of
the streets and o f commercialized recreation. I f it renders this mini­
mum service it justifies its claim on the community’s purse.
Public recreation should do more. It should stimulate self-expres­
sion and afford the discipline o f high-spirited team play. Under
leaders who not only win the interest o f children but have the skill
and training to guide their activities the playground makes a con­
tribution to the community no less definite, no less constructive than
the schools.
The space and equipment for children’s recreation group them­
selves roughly in three main divisions corresponding to three age
groups:
Little children less than 6 or 7 years old can not travel far from
home, and in all districts where yards are not available for play at
every doorstep there should be many small open spaces with benches
for mothers and such simple equipment as sand boxes -and shallow
wading pools. Since these children rarely use a play space as much
as one-quarter of a mile from home, the city should be dotted with
small play retreats not more than one-half mile apart. Experi­
ence has shown that the play space for little children should be
distinct from that for older children; therefore, when the play­
grounds for school children are not large enough to provide a corner
for the exclusive use of little children, additional space or separate
land should be provided.
For children o f the next age group— roughly, 7 or 8 to 12 or 13
years old— play centers o f a different type are nejeded. An open
space, divided into two parts, one for boys and one for girls, is the
74262°— 17----- 2


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first requisite. Apparatus for gymnastics and basket ball, a small
diamond for playground ball, a swimming pool, and tennis courts are
among the accepted types o f equipment. Gardens, cultivated under
supervision, combine wholesome exercise and instruction and form
a valuable addition to a play center. A ll these depend for their de­
velopment upon the area available, and the more varied the activities
which can be carried on simultaneously the more useful the play­
ground. These older children do not habitually go much more than
half a mile to a playground, hence such playgrounds should be not
more than a mile apart. It is found desirable and economical to
have such play centers either on school grounds or adjacent to school
buildings. In every playground which is not used in connection with
a school a shelter house for story-telling and indoor games is de­
sirable.
For adolescents, whether in the upper grades, in the high schools,
or at work, larger spaces and equipment for all sorts of athletics
and outdoor games are needed, distinct from the playgrounds o f
younger children. For this type o f athletic center distance from the
homes is not so important a factor, but one such center should be
easily accessible to every section of the community. These young
people and adults of all ages need recreation centers for dancing,
dramatics, games, clubs, lectures, and other indoor and evening
activities. Indoor swimming pools and gymnasiums are valuable
additions to any play center except the play spaces for little children.
PUBLIC RECREATION FACILITIES AND THEIR
ADMINISTRATION.
The United States Government, the District government, and the
public schools maintain three separate systems of recreation facilities
in the District.
The Chief o f Engineers o f the United States Army has exclusive
charge o f public parks and open land belonging to the Federal Gov­
ernment. Federal park land in the District o f Columbia is under a
division o f the Chief of Engineers’ office known as the Office of
Public Buildings and Grounds, and responsibility for maintenance o f
such recreation facilities as are provided in the Federal parks rests
with the officer in charge. These facilities include baseball diamonds,
polo grounds, tennis courts, and space for other forms of outdoor
sport. They are intended primarily for adults, and no play super­
vision is undertaken by this office.
The Commissioners of the District of Columbia are responsible
for land belonging to the District and have assigned to the Dis­
trict department o f playgrounds the control of such District land as
is used for municipal playgrounds. This department is also conduct
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ing supervised playgrounds on Federal land assigned by the Chief of
Engineers1 and by the Interior Department,2 and on private land lent
for public use.3 The department o f playgrounds has also had from
time to time the use o f one piece o f school land for baseball.4 The
total number of municipal playgrounds open during 1914 was 13,
and during 1916, 12.5 In addition the department has supervised
basehall on two fields.
The board o f education is responsible by law for the use o f land
belonging to the public schools, and the board has placed under the
charge o f the director o f physical training in the public schools the
details o f equipment and supervision o f play in school yards.6 Super­
vised playgrounds in school yards are maintained for six weeks in
the summer; 17 were open during the summer of 1914 and 20 during
the summer o f 1916.7
Each year since 1909 Congress has appropriated $900 or $1,000 for
grading and equipping for play 6 additional school yards; it also
provides for the maintenance and repair o f apparatus. Up to the
present time (summer o f 1916) 60 school yards (44 white and 16
colored) have been equipped from these appropriations. In addi­
tion, 6 school yards (4 white and 2 colored) have been equipped from
private funds. The appropriation does not, however, cover the cost
o f salaries for play supervisors. The expenses o f the 20 summer
playgrounds in school yards are therefore largely met by private
subscriptions. Teachers in the schools are employed as play leaders,
and their work, although paid partly from private funds, is under
the direction o f the school director o f physical training.
The president o f the board o f education, the president o f the Dis­
trict Commissioners, and the officer in charge o f public buildings and
grounds act as an ex officio committee on recreation for cooperation
and consultation upon matters involving a joint policy.
Facilities fo r little children's play.—Washington had in 1913 more
than 100,000 children and young people under 20 years of age.
Twenty-nine thousand were children under 5 years of age, and at
1 Bloomingdale, W illow Tree Park, Garfield Park, and Virginia Avenue Playgrounds.
A lso supervised baseball (no equipment) at Reservation 19, Sixth and L Streets SE.
2 Howard P layground.,
8 Gallinger, Mount Pleasant, New York Avenue, and W ilcox Playgrounds. Also super­
vised baseball on Bruce diamond.
* On same block w ith Henry School summer playground. N ot used by playground de­
p a rtm e n t, summer o f 1916.
5 Summer of 1 9 1 6 : Twelve municipal playgrounds— nine for white children and three
for colored children. Also two athletic fields and two play stations. See page 65.
6 A t a meeting of the board of education in September, 1916, the following motion
prevailed.
That the board of education grant the supervisor of municipal playgrounds
the use of all school grounds not operated by the schools, to be used as play centers for
the children of the District, with the understanding that arrangements must be made
w ith school authorities for safeguarding buildings opened in whole or in part.”
7 Summer o f 1 9 1 6 : Fifteen supervised school playgrounds for white children and five
for colored children.


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least another 5,000 were 5 or 6 years old. In the old city, where
two-thirds o f these children lived, the streets and squares give the
appearance o f abundant space, but there are large areas in the old
city and in. some o f the thickly settled neighborhoods beyond its
boundaries where little children must depend on doorstep and side­
walk for their play. As already noted, sidewalk play in Washington
is forbidden by law. Open squares without benches are useless to
mothers and nurses with their charges, and carefully tended shrub­
bery and lawns and flower beds do not invite tjie older babies’ play.
Seven o f the open squares have sand boxes.1 Sand boxes are pro­
vided on each o f the 12 District playgrounds and 20 school' summer
playgrounds also, but except at the Rosedale, Bloomingdale, George­
town, Howard, and Cardozo Playgrounds space is too limited to
permit o f seclusion from the more active play of older children.
Equipment for little children such as was formerly offered in the Zoo
Park and is planned in Potomac Park would add to the attractive­
ness o f the parks for family excursions, but could never serve the
daily needs o f mothers and little children other than the few whose
homes overlook these parks.
The distances are great between the seven play centers for small
children in open squares. Existing spaces for rest in the open air
for mothers and quiet play for little children are plainly inadequate.
FacUities for fla y fo r children o f school age.—The next age group
for which exact population figures are available shows 48,000 children
between 5 and 14 years. Some of these children are younger and
some are older than those for whom the playgrounds are primarily
adapted.2- But since Washington’s play facilities for little children
and for young people are inadequate, the playgrounds are actually
used by children even younger and older than the 48,000 in this age
group.
The District offers three types o f play spaces adapted to the tastes
and needs of children 6 to 13 years o ld :
1.
Sixty-six3 o f the schools have play spaces around the build*
ings, with simple play equipment, but in 46 of these no leadership is
provided. Attendance in these unsupervised school yards is' negli­
gible in summer or outside o f regular school hours, and many of
them are too small to serve the children of the neighborhood even
if they did come.
1 L afayette Square, Franklin Square, and Reservation 16 a t K and Sixth Streets SE.
in 1914. To these have since been added Washington Circle, Dupont Circle, Judiciary
Square, and Stanton Square.
2 During the school year ended June 30, 1915, 38,737 children were enrolled in the
first six grades of the public schools.
Of these, 2 6,056 were white and 12,681 were
colored.
Report of the Board of Education to the Commissioners of the District of
Columbia, 1 9 1 4 -1 5 , p. 50.
3 Summer of 1 9 1 6 : Forty-eight white and 18 colored. School year 1 9 1 4 - 1 5 : Thirtynine white and 15 colored.


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2. Twenty o f the larger school yards are open for six weeks in
summer, with play leaders and instruction.1
3. Twelve municipal playgrounds are open, with supervision, for
•10 months o f the year.2
During the six summer weeks, therefore, when the school yards
are in use, there are 32 centers o f supervised play for children o f
grade-school age, 24 for white children and 8 for colored. Fourteen
o f the white playgrounds and 5 o f the colored playgrounds are in the
20 health districts o f the old city and must meet the needs o f some
30,000 children,3 many o f whom are more than half a mile from any
playground.
Accurate estimates o f the number o f different children who are in
the habit o f using playgrounds are extremely difficult to make.
Special records were kept during the year 1914 for this study.4 The
District playgrounds estimated an average weekly attendance of 7,410
different children during the summer weeks and o f 10,084 different
children during the spring and fall. It is admitted, however, that
this is an overestimate, since the same child may have been entered
more than once during the week. The school summer playgrounds
used a different method of checking attendance, and the director es­
timates that in 1914 the number of different children using the play­
grounds each week averaged 4,871. During that summer there were
in all 13 playgrounds for white and 4 for colored children within the
20 health districts o f the original city, for which these estimates show
an average weekly attendance of 6,111 white children and 1,247 col­
ored children. In other words, with the most generous interpreta­
tion o f the attendance figures, the facilities in use in 1914 within the
boundaries o f the old city were used by less than one-third o f the
20,647 white children 5 to 14 years old, and about 1 in 8 o f the 9,602
colored children o f the same ages living in these districts.5
It seems plain that the play needs of the city’s children are not
met. The 12 municipal playgrounds (summer o f 1916) are scattered
through the city from Rosedale to Georgetown and from Mount
Pleasant to Virginia Avenue SE., but the distances between them
are long; and even in summer, when the school playgrounds are open,
1 Summer of 1 9 1 6 : fifte e n white and five colored.
and five colored.
2 Summer of 1 9 1 6 : Nine white and three colored.
three colored.

Summer of 1 9 1 4 : Twelve white
Summer of 1 9 1 4 : Ten white and

3 Health districts 1 to 20 show population 5 to 14 years, inclusive, 20,647 white and
9 ,602 colored.
4 See tables, pp. 65, 66.
6 Since then (in 1915) a new colored playground has been opened at W illow Tree
Park, increasing by a few hundred the number of children reached by public play facili­
ties in southwest W ashington. A few of the colored children on the northern edge of
the original city are provided for by the Howard Playground, which is not quite half a
mile beyond Florida Avenue.
Two additional school summer playgrounds for w hite
children have been opened in the original city at the Force School and the Bryan School
in northwest and southeast W ashington, respectively.


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many hundreds o f homes are beyond the half-mile radius that a
playground can effectively serve.
In addition to its 12 regular playgrounds the municipal play­
ground department opened during the summer o f 1916 two “ play
stations” on vacant lots in thickly populated neighborhoods not
within reach o f an equipped playground. These lots had naturally
become gathering places for the children, and directors were sent
with balls, bats, bean bags, ropes., etc., to play games with the young­
sters. These play stations were at Second and G Streets NE. and at
Tenth and K Streets NE. The average daily attendance was
about 150.
Good story-telling is considered such an important feature in the
education o f the child that at certain times, when it is too hot for
strenuous sport, a special teacher is employed to go from one play­
ground to another telling stories. These include folk stories, hero
stories, and fairy tales o f all lands, so used that the child may get
the best in literature of every age and nation as well as one ex­
ample o f the beauty o f diction in the language o f the story-teller.
The stories give the child who may be hampered either by lack of
books at home or o f initiative in reading a literary background and
they are o f great help in arousing interest in forms o f play that
stimulate the imagination and encourage dramatics and pageantry.
So interested are children in the story hour that it is not unusual to
see 40 or 50 gathered around the playground worker.
A playground feature o f great constructive worth, carried on in
school and city playgrounds, is the industrial work taught by the
play leaders. Every child since the beginning o f time has wanted to
make something in imitation of his elders—mud pies or block
houses or railroads or boats o f sticks. This imitative instinct in
children is taken advantage of, to their great pleasure and profit,
by the industrial classes on the playgrounds. In the season which
closed in October, 1914, 3,500 children in the city playgrounds and
1,700 in the school playgrounds were taught something o f sewing,
embroidery, carpentry, gardening, or basket work. School gar­
dens have been started for the boys in the upper grades during the
school term at a few schools and they have been open for both boys
and girls during vacation. These vacation gardens have depended
largely on private contributions and have been limited by lack o f
funds and o f suitable land.
During the summer of 1914 two classes were held on school play­
grounds for children retarded in their studies, and 95 per cent o f
them were promoted on returning to school in the fall.
Facilities fo r »play for young people.— The District playground
department has tennis courts or a basket-ball field or both in all its
playgrounds. Four of the white playgrounds can arrange for track

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athletics by suspending other activités. A t 2 playgrounds (Kosedale and Cardozo) there is a full-sizéd baseball diamond and soccer
football field, but only one o f these larger playgrounds lies in a
congested section. No other playgrounds but Georgetown and
Bloomingdale can give space to older children without sacrificing
the needs of those under 14 years of age.
This department supervises baseball and soccer football on 2
fields used by boys only. These are distinct from the 12 regular
playgrounds and the 2 u play stations,” and are provided with no
equipment except a baseball diamond. The fields used in this way
during the summer o f 1916 were the Federal reservation at Fifth and
L Streets SE. and vacant land belonging to the public schools at
Seventh and O Streets NW .1 The fields were well patronized by
older boys who played after working hours 5 but though the largest
attendance came after 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the fields were in
constant use throughout the day.
Already, with the inadequate facilities at hand, soccer, baseball,
tennis, and croquet tournaments have been held. A spring athletic
meet has been organized, which has depended on the courtesy of a
private association for the use of a field, since no public land is
available. That the children enjoy these playground activities is
indicated by the number o f games played under supervision of the
department o f playgrounds o f the District o f Columbia in 1914,
3,354 basket-ball games, 44 soccer games, 11,347 croquet games,' and
147,955 tennis games.
For athletic purposes the public schools have been grouped into
eight divisions, each having as a center a municipal playground,
where teams representing the schools in baseball and soccer for boys
and basket ball for girls play for the playground division champion­
ships each year. The winners o f the division championships in
soccer and baseball compete for the championship o f the city. These
contests are carefully supervised and high standards of sportsman­
ship are maintained.
During the summer interplayground leagues are maintained in
various branches o f sport in which 2,500 growing boys and youths
participate. I f spaces were provided for them, many thousands
more could be reached and would enjoy the benefits of tennis courts,
baseball diamonds, and football and basket-ball fields.
Washington had in 1913 in the entire city about 26,000 young
people between 15 and 19 years of age, boys and girls who have out­
grown playground interests and need space and equipment for ten­
nis, baseball, soccer, football, basket ball, and track athletics. To
these must be added children in the seventh and eighth grades whose
1 i ^ e department has had from time to time the use of a private field also for baseball,
but it has not attempted to supervise athletics in more than 2 fields a t one time.


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recreational interests resemble those of the older rather than those
o f the younger group. In 1914-15 about 14,000 young people were
enrolled in the higher grades o f the public-school system.1 A t pres­
ent high-school athletic contests are held on borrowed fields and
occasionally the diamonds on the Ellipse are used for high-school
ball games. For practice work near their schools the boys are
dependent on vacant lots.
An athletic field for high-school students has been opened since
1914 in Georgetown at the Western High School, and a new and
more complete athletic center will be opened in connection with the
new Central High. There is, however, no large field available at
any other high school. The 8 school gymnasiums2 do not meet the
needs of all the vocational schools and of the grade schools through­
out the city.
The spaces controlled by the Office of Public Buildings and
Grounds offer a considerable range of opportunity for recreation.
Nineteen tennis courts are maintained in Potomac Park and 3 in
Montrose Park.3 Permits are issued to individuals upon application
and to various religious and business associations and high-school
organizations, and the courts are in constant use.
Twelve baseball diamonds are provided— 4 on the Ellipse and 8 on
the Monument Grounds. It is estimated that 800 persons play on
these grounds each month o f the season. As in the case of the tennis
courts, the number of applicants far exceeds the available accommo­
dations.
There is one 3-hole golf practice course in Potomac Park, with
about 25 permits for use outstanding during the season. Two polo
fields in Potomac Park provide for about six games per month be­
tween May and October, which 13,000 visitors attended in 1916. The
one croquet court in Montrose Park is being used to a considerable
extent, clubs having been formed for the game. One football ground
in Potomac Park and a running, track in the Monument Grounds are
available for those who are not high-school students, and permission
is granted for the use of the open space in Potomac Park during
the fall months.4 About 200 persons a month avail themselves of
this privilege.
1 In the seventh and eighth grades, high schools, vocational schools, and normal
schools of the District the enrollment was 10,851 white students and 3,977 colored
students o f both sexes. Report of the Board of Education to the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia, 1 9 1 4 -1 5 , pp. 50, 51.
2 W ilson Normal, Miner Normal, Business High, Central High-, Eastern High, Western
High, M Street High, Arm strong Manual Training. Two additional gymnasiums have
been opened in the new Central High and the Dunbar H igh School.
3 Summer of 1 9 1 6 : The number of tennis courts under the Office of Public Buildings and
Grounds has been increased to 35, including 12 at Henry Park, Sixth and- D Streets N W .,
and 1 at Garfield Park SE.
Over 7 ,000 persons used the courts during the summer
of 1916.
4 Appropriation has been made for an athletic center with fields o f all kinds, a shelter
house, and boating facilities in E ast Potomac Park. It is hoped to connect* this w ith the
southwest district by ferry.


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When the ice is sufficiently thick for skating on the Tidal Basin,
large areas are cleared of snow and supervised to avoid danger.
In all o f Washington, with its 75,000 young people 5 to 19 years
o f age, only 7 public swimming pools are now provided. The new
Central High School adds.an eighth pool, which, unlike the others,
will be available the year round.1
Three pools are on the Georgetown, Howard, and Rosedale Play­
grounds. The 4 pools on the Monument Grounds, popularly known
as the Municipal Bathing Beach, are also managed by the District
play£Toun<I department and are open at specified hours for men and
boys and for women and girls.
Even more slight has been public provision in Washington for in­
door recreation. Since' March, 1915, however, the use o f publicschool buildings as neighborhood *centers has been specifically per­
mitted by law. A few school buildings have been widely used by the
people in their neighborhoods for various unofficial activities, notably
the Grover Cleveland School, the Elizabeth V. Brown School at
Chevy Chase, the Wilson Normal School, the Eaton School at Cleve­
land Park, the Lucretia Mott School, and the Cardozo School. Lec­
tures are given, civic organizations and neighborhood clubs hold
meetings, and occasionally there are motion pictures or dancing. But
in general it appears that, apart from social organizations among
high-school students, the neighborhood activities at the schools have
been o f interest to parents rather than to young people. The gym­
nasium at the Wilson Normal is the only one o f the school gym­
nasiums which has been open for special classes outside o f school
hours. The need o f wholesome indoor and evening recreation for
young people and adults is not met by the present use of school
buildings and their meager provision for dancing, gymnastics, dra­
matics, and young people’s clubs.
u
VOLUNTARY PROVISION FOR RECREATION.
Various voluntary associations, religious and social groups, Boy
Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, and Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A.
for both colored and white contribute to the recreational activities o f
the city.2 Any endeavor, however, to measure their extent results in
1 Pouf indoor swimming pools are open in connection with voluntary organizations '
2 The following organizations have been reported as offering facilities for recreationAlliance House, Carroll Institute, Friendship House, Lindsay House (colored), Neighbor­
hood House, Noel House, Satterlee House (colored), Social Settlement (colored) The
Center (colored), Y . "M. C. A ., Y . M. C. A. (colored), Y . W . C. A ., Y . W . C. A. (colored)
Y . W . H. A . (since 1 9 1 4 ).
In addition there are gymnasiums, social entertainments'
or opportunities for dancing in halls connected with various churches. Where such uses
have been reported for parish halls they are indicated in the intensive studies o f health
districts.


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F A C I L I T I E S F O R C H I L D R E N ’ s P L A Y , D IS T R IC T O F C O L U M B I A .

numerous difficulties. In the first place, these activities are likely to
shade off into others having a different motive or purpose. What
may be emphasized in one organization as a distinct recreational
feature may be far surpassed by an unrecorded activity in another.
Attempts to obtain daily attendance figures from several o f the most
prominent institutions in the city failed absolutely for various rea­
sons— chiefly because no records were kept. A membership of ap­
proximately 1,500 young people between 12 imd 18 years of age was
reported by the Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls. (It is estimated
by the Boy Scouts officials that there are 25,000 young people of scout
age in the city.)
The great outstanding fact in regard to these voluntary organiza­
tions is that they afford indisputable testimony to the eagerness o f
young people to take advantage of every opportunity for innocent
amusement. They are attempting to meet from private resources a
great demand for play whiclf has a legitimate claim on the resources
of the community. However generous the facilities for play which
they may provide, they will scarcely meet all the varied needs o f a
city’s population. Great parks for athletics and properly distributed
playgrounds for little children, clean swimming pools and wellequipped gymnasiums available for all and free from any suggestion
o f charitable bounty can be planned and equipped only from the
common purse o f the community. When ultimately the community
provides the adequate .equipment for play the social activities of
each of these voluntary agencies will afford a valuable nucleus from
which there will develop among the young people of the city a whole­
some human use o f that equipment.
The Young Men’s Christian Associations, the Young Women’s
Christian Associations, the settlements, and other volunteer organiza­
tions offer athletic training and social entertainment. Their activi­
ties also include social and civic clubs for young people, playgrounds
for children, swimming tanks and gymnasiums, and summer camps
outside the city.
The Boy Scouts and the Camp Fire Girls in Washington are a part
o f these nation-wide movements which are endeavoring to popularize
outdoor life and to give skill in all sorts o f woodcraft. The tests,’
examinations, and standards o f ethics which lead by successive steps
from the tenderfoot scout degree to the first-class scout degree are
the same here as elsewhere. Washington had, in 1914, 120 first-class
scouts, whose average age was 15 years. The “ merit badge ” system
o f the Boy Scout organization has drawn out the best efforts o f


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hundreds o f boys who were interested in the various activities for
which these badges are given.1
In all social activities for young people requiring adult leader­
ship, whether Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, social-settlement clubs, or
Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. work, it has been recently said that
the question is not a boy and a girl question, but a man and a woman
question—the question of securing adult leadership. The more tech­
nical the work o f the organization the greater is the difficulty of se­
curing leaders.
It is a truism, therefore, to point out that the development o f all
sorts o f wholesome play is limited not by the lack of eager young
persons but by the lack of leaders and o f facilities.
C O M M E R C IA L R E C R E A T IO N .2

Washington is well supplied with motion-picture and vaudeville
shows, dance halls, pool rooms, and bowling alleys. These are all
legitimate types of recreation, yet they can be conducted in such a
way as to constitute a hazard to young people.
Licenses were issued during the year from November, 1914, to
November, 1915, to 81 motion-picture establishments in the District
o f Columbia, or one for every 4,200 persons. A ll of these houses
are inspected by the fire and building departments.
1 The following list of subjects and the number o f badges awarded in W ashington is
suggestive as showing the breadth of interest among Washington boys :

Agriculture................. 1
Angling............ ........ 1
Architecture............... 1
Art.............................. 7
Astronomy..................11
Athletics.................... 11
Automobiling........... 3
Aviation...... ............ 4
Beefarming.............. 8
Blacksmitmng.......... 8
Bugling...................... 12
Business...................... 11
Camping..................... 24
Carpentry................... 24

Chemistry................... 5
Civics...........................12
Conservation............ 6
Cooking.......................31
Craftsmanship.......... 61
Cycling...-................... 31
Dairying................... 1
Electricity.................. 11
Firemanship............... 78
First aid...................... 52
First aid to animals . 9
Forestry..................... 16
Gardening.................. 18
Handicraft.................. 61

Horsemanship.......... 4
Interpreting.............. 2
Invention.................. 3
Leather working....... 16
Lifesaving..................34
Machinery................... 13
Marksmanship..........27
28
Masonry..............
Music......................... 6
Ornithology.............. 1
Painting...................... 23
Pathftnding................ 30
Personalhealth........ 97
Photography..........
1

Physical d e v e lo p ment...................... 1
Pioneering............... 26
Plumbing.................. 9
Poultry farming.......11
Printing.................... 3
Public health..............97
Scholarship............... 9
Sculpture................ 1
Seamanship..................7
Signaling.................. 7
Stalking.................... 1
Surveying................. 5
Swimming................ 56

These were the figures for 1914. A t that time W ashington had also 14 eagle scouts,
8 life and star scouts, and 3 honor-medal scouts.
2 The saloon offers a different problem which hardly comes within the scope' o f this
discussion, since the excise law, effective November 1, 1914, has separated the saloon fnpm
the business of play. “ No licensee *
*
* except in the case of hotels, restaurants,
and clubs shall permit the playing o f pool or bUliards, or any other games whatever,
in the room where such liquors are sold or drunk, or in any adjoining or intercommuni­
cating ro o m ; nor shall he, except in the case of hotels, restaurants, and clubs, permit
the playing o f music or theatricals of any kind, or provide other amusements in his
place of business or in connection therewith.”
[3 7 Stat.. L ., ch. 150, p. 1003, par.
14 (act of Mar. 4, 1 9 1 3 ).]
The sale of liquor to any minor is prohibited, and the pres­
ence of a minor under 18 in a place where liquors are sold is forbidden by the same
law. The location of 2 94 of the 300 licensed barrooms is shown in the charts, pp.
35 to 59.


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F A C I L I T I E S F O E C H l L D E E U ’ s P L A Y , D IS T R IC T O F C O L U M B I A .

Out of 250 films inspected in the course o f this study, 99 were
comedy scenes or farce, 68 were romantic, 51 showed crimes as main
features o f the stories, 23 were educational, and 7 were adventures,
while 2 could not be classified. Virtue is generally triumphant, and
the criminal always meets an unhappy end; but many parents feel
that less emphasis should be placed on the criminal incidents. The
accurate portrayal o f a burglar blowing open a safe m a y. be an
object lesson to some impressionable boy with adventurous tenden­
cies. In the old days the dime novel was condemned because it was
believed to teach crime, and the cheaper melodrama always had a
villain who, before his capture, taught a few tricks o f his trade to
the aspiring young gangster. These, however, were mere child’s
play in comparison with the photographic dramas o f to-day. In
some way parents and children should be assured that the play is
clean and proper for them to see.
The figures obtained by a survey o f 73 o f the motion-picture
houses and shown in the appendix1 give a result which is equivalent
to an attendance once a week o f every person in Washington. A
fairly accurate survey showed that the average daily attendance was
44,088. Counting all under 18 years as minors, it was found (con­
trary to the usual impression) that adults were far in the lead, with
35,858 a day, the minors showing a daily “ movie” strength o f 8,230.
O f the total, 39,416 were white, 2,740 colored; the remainder were
not reported separately. The adult whites numbered 32,242. Under
18 years, the white boys and girls numbered 7,174 and the colored 640.
The schools have tried to encourage the presentation of educational
films at the theaters by arranging for groups o f children to attend.
GoodJilms are also shown occasionally at a few school buildings out­
side of school hours, and by a few o f the volunteer agencies which
conduct social activities.
Public dances in Washington are generally organized by a club
or other association. During the season 1914-15 the number of
public dances averaged about 35 a week, with an average weekly
attendance o f 5,556 persons. The admission fees amounted to $1,310
a week, or $44,202 for the dancing season.
A t 14 halls and 4 open-air parks holding annual licenses for the
year beginning November 1, 1914, public dances were held more or
less regularly. Such an annual license costs $100 and involves annual
inspection o f fire escapes and of the building generally. Miscel­
laneous dances o f public or, more frequently, semipublic character
are held at irregular intervals in some 50 other halls. These other
halls are required by law to take out a special license of $3 for
each dance except when the dance is for a church or some charitable
purpose.
1 Table 4, p. 66.


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Pferhaps the most significant type of gathering showing the need
for inexpensive or free opportunity for orderly social gatherings is
what is sometimes known as the “ cottage dance,” a semipublic affair
in a small private house where the participants pay for music and
bring refreshments. As an instance of the crowded quarters in
which these dances are held, it was noted that at a single typical %
gathering in a winter evening 50 people were dancing in two small
rooms. The value of additional assembly rooms available for neigh­
borhood use as civic and social centers is obvious.
Pool and billiard rooms and bowling alleys play a comparatively
small part in the recreation facilities of Washington. Only 17T such
places were in operation in 1915, as many went out of business under
the new excise law which prohibits their operation in connection with
saloons. O f these places, 12 were bowling alleys are 13. were bowling
alleys in connection with billiard and pool rooms.
The attendance at pool and billiard rooms was ‘about 43,289 a week.
The largest attendance reported at any one place was 6,000 a week,
the smallest was 30, and the average, 385. In 81 pool rooms regular
patrons were said to attend five times a week. The condition of the
rooms was reported as good, and in only 9 was the sanitation poor.
The attendance at bowling alleys on the day of inspection was 275.
The only two commercial alleys acknowledging attendance o f minors
claimed 100 boys and 60 boys a week, respectively.
The need o f noncommercial bowling alleys and pool tables has been
recognized, and a few have been provided by volunteer social centers
and the Y . M. C. A.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
In view o f the necessity for some concerted action in developing
recreation facilities in the District, an ex officio commission has
already been formed, as has been seen, of the heads of the three ad­
ministrative bodies now responsible for public play, namely, the „
president o f the board of education, the president o f the District
Commissioners, and the officer in charge of public buildings and
grounds. Pending a time when a single department may take the
centralized responsibility for recreation in the District this report
1 suggests, in addition to this ex officio commission, an advisory com­
mittee as the most practicable means for securing a presentation of
popular opinion and an intelligent public interest in the balanced
development of recreation plans.
It is suggested, therefore, that the ex officio board appoint nine
representative citizens, men and women, who shall serve as an unpaid
advisory committee and shall report to the ex officio board in the
month of May of each year recommendations for the further develop­
ment and greater effectiveness of recreation facilities. ,

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30

F A C I L I T I E S F O R C H I L D R E N S P L A Y , D IS T R IC T OF C O L U M B I A .

As an immediate program for increasing the public provision for
play, it is recommended that the fullest possible use be made o f
existing facilities r
1. The school yards now used as summer playgrounds could be
usgd throughout the year for supervised play before and after school
on every school day and on other days from 9 a. m. until dark.
2. A ll other school yards which have play equipment could be
opened for play throughout the year and supervision provided; and
unequipped school yards of sufficient size to serve as neighborhood
playgrounds could be equipped and made similarly available.
3. A ll park areas within the original city and certain other Federal
reservations could be made available for the use of little children
with their mothers or caretakers by installing benches in shady spots
and such simple equipment as sand piles and wading pools.
4. Certain Federal reservations and other pieces of public land
could be opened for play or athletics. For example, complete athletic
fields (and a swimming pool) could be provided in Rock Creek Park
at the reservoir; a playground could be opened in a part o f the new
Meridian Park; and equipment for athletics (if properly fenced
from the railroad track) on the land around the power plant at
Virginia Avenue and South Capitol Street. The public golf links
started at Fort de Russey could be completed. Part o f the land be­
tween Monroe and Newton Streets NE., near Eighteenth Street,
which is owned by the board o f education, could be developed as a
playground for Children and an athletic field.
5. The use o f school buildings as recreation centers might be
further developed.
It is evident, however, that even with the fullest use o f existing
facilities suitable play space will not be available for all children
o f all ages within a reasonable distance from their homes. Attention
is called in the intensive studies o f individual health districts to
those neighborhoods where the need of providing additional space
is most pressing.
It is urged that in future no new school building be erected with­
out an ample yard for play or athletics. In the development of all
outlying districts frequent open spaces should be secured for the use
o f mothers and little children. The advisory committee should give
consideration, in making its annual report, to providing adequate
and equitable play facilities throughout the District in keeping with
the growth of the city, the shifts of population, and the development
o f new residential areas.
The present need o f athletic fields can hardly be localized in
individual health districts. In general it is clear that athletic fields,
distinct from younger children’s playgrounds, ought to be made


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available for adults and young people who are not high-school stu­
dents and who do not live within easy reach o f existing and pro­
posed facilities. But in this case again existing public land will not
adequately meet the situation. For example, an athletic field for
adults and young people not enrolled in any school is urgently
needed in the now closely built sections north of Florida Avenue and
east o f Eleventh Street where no public land is available.
No athletic field is available at present for colored young people
except a baseball diamond on the Monument Grounds. It is most
desirable that athletic facilities be provided near the new Dunbar
High School, and as there is no suitable piece of public land in that
•neighborhood land should be purchased for this purpose.
Purchase o f the Patterson tract (in health district 30) has been
frequently urged as an important addition to the park system o f the
District. This report concurs in recommending its purchase as
affording not only park area but land admirably situated for play
retreats, playgrounds, and athletic fields.
Snow Court (in health district 3) is recognized as an insanitary
alley which ought to be cleared out. A playground and athletic field
in this general neighborhood are greatly needed, and if Snow Court
were purchased and made into a complete recreation center a double
purpose would be served. Similar treatment of alleys in other
neighborhoods where recreation facilities are inadequate might also
be considered.
Additional clearing out at the Willow Tree Park Playground is
desirable, in order to open a generous space toward the street at one.
side of the present area.
Additional provision should be made for swimming. Not only
should there be more outdoor swimming pools for summer use but
indoor swimming should be available for all. A public natatorium
could be erected in some central location and an indoor recreation
center with gymnasium and swimming pool placed at the Willow
Tree Park Playground. In a city in this latitude, with the peculiar
heat o f Washington, ample provision for public baths and swimming
is absolutely necessary to health.
The new recreation center which is to be opened in the eastern
part o f Potomac Park will give an anchorage for small boats. A t
other places convenient to the different sections o f the city boathouses
with nominal charges might be provided. Also, at two suitable
places on the water fronts o f southwest and southeast Washington
small waterside parks with recreation pavilions would be of service.
The experience o f all cities in the United States has shown that the
demand for use o f all available water facilities steadily increases.


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F A C I L I T I E S F O E C H IL D E E F T ’ s P L A Y , D IS T E IC T OF C O L U M B I A .

The need for additional facilities with which this report is pri­
marily concerned unavoidably carries with it the necessity for secur­
ing trained persons of high character and special aptitude not only
to develop public recreation but to serve as directors on the play­
grounds. Courses for training recreation directors are now offered
by certain technical schools, and there is a growing interest in the
subject among educators. No discussion o f the question is here at­
tempted beyond the statement that intelligent, trained, and suitably
paid supervision is essential to the public value of the plans sub­
mitted.
The new dangers to street play which are created by the universal
use o f . automobiles ; the rapid increase in multiple dwellings; and
the general growth o f the city, which is constantly eliminating
vacant lots formerly available for play, emphasize the immediate
necessity for public purchase of adequate play areas if the safety
and well-being of Washington children are to be assured.
INTENSIVE STUDIES OF HEALTH DISTRICTS.
Charts and statistics give detailed studies of population, density,
mortality rate, schools and playgrounds, other public and volunteer
recreation facilities, and commercial recreation in 25 o f the 5^ health
districts into which the District of Columbia is divided. On the
charts red represents land owned by the Federal Government, and
yellow, land owned by the District o f Columbia.
Areas are worked from Baist’s Surveys o f Washington, D. C.,
*1913.
Population figures for health districts are taken from the an­
nual report o f the department of health of the District o f Columbia
for the year 1914 and are based on the police census o f 1913.
Density of health district is reckoned from these population fig­
ures and area exclusive of streets. Density of individual blocks is
based on block area exclusive o f streets and block population reported
in the police census of 1913.
The mortality rate is based on the census o f 1913 and mortality
figures for two successive years, 1913 and 1914.
Number and location of commercial recreation facilities are based
on records o f the license bureau o f the District o f Columbia for
annual licenses issued for the year beginning November 1, 1914.
The same symbol is used for pool rooms and for bowling alleys,
and where licenses for both kinds o f establishments are issued for
the same address they are shown on the chart by a single symbol and
reckoned as one establishment in the enumeration of facilities.
Although theaters, motion-picture establishments, and public dance
halls are all licensed under the same two paragraphs of the license

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law applying to indoor and outdoor establishments, respectively, the
records o f the license bureau make the following classifications:
Theaters..
Motion-picture theaters.
Public halls other than motion-picture theaters.
Public parks with motion pictures.
Other public parks.
These are shown in the charts and intensive studies under three
headings—theaters, motion pictures (combining indoor and out­
door), and dance halls (both indoor and outdoor). It should be
noted that the annual license for a public hall or a public park in­
cludes the privilege o f maintaining public dances, but only such
o f thesef licensed halls and parks as were known to be used for dances
are shown with dance-hall symbol.
Amusement places licensed as shooting galleries or as slot-machine
establishments are also included in the-studies of the districts in
which they are found.
Halls taking out occasional $3 licenses for public dances are not
included in the charts and summary o f facilities.
The location o f each establishment holding a barroom license
under the excise law is indicated. The license records are uniform
for such licenses whether issued to hotels, restaurants, clubs, or
saloons. The same symbol is therefore used for all barroom licenses*
and no attempt is made to distinguish among the types o f places for
which they are issued.
A few o f the commercial recreation establishments and barrooms
were outside o f the chartered districts.
Dance halls______________________________________________
Pool rooms or bow ling alleys____________________________
Motion pictures------------- _--------------------------- a— ___________
B a rroom s-----------------------------.--------------------------------------------

Charted.

N ot charted.

15
' 166
79
294

3
11
5
6

The following general recommendations should be borne in mind
in considering the specific recommendations given in the following
studies o f health districts.
It is recommended that the existing summer playgrounds in school
yards be opened throughout the year for supervised play before and
after school on every school day and on other days from 9 a. m.
until dark.
It is recommended that all other school yards which now have play
equipment be opened throughout the year for supervised play, and
that all unequipped school yards o f sufficient size to serve as neigh­
borhood playgrounds be equipped and made available.
It is recommended that the use o f school buildings as recreation
centers be further developed.
74262°— 17------3


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LEG END
to- accompany charts of
health districts.
Average density per acre, streets not included

..........

over 300

..........

200 - 299

gg|

..........

ISO - 199

□

.......

i - ”

Commercial Recreational Facilities

8

... ..i...

«= •

...

•

Saloons

...
••

•

••.... .

..... 5.M.
5 G- ... ......

Theaters
Slot Machine Parlors
Shooting Galleries

Public Recreational Facilities

A

School Buildings

0

Municipal Playgrounds, 1914
Supervised Summer School
Playgrounds, 1914
Equipped School Yards, 1914

□
Ifni
CD

Municipal Playgrounds since
1914
Supervised Summer School
Playgrounds since 1914
Equipped School Yards
since 1914
Athletic Fields

BB

Tennis Courts

i±sU

p n — r -j •

Swimming Pools since 1914
Swimming Pools, 1914

Voluntary Recreational Facilities

£)

.........

(...)

............

__
L-]


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Social Centers
Social Centers opened

since 1914
............

Playgrounds


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H E A L T H D IS T R IC T N O . 1.

Area, exclusive of streets, 178.2 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northwest. M Street on south, Rock Creek on west, Florida
Avenue on north, and Fifteenth Street on east.
Population, 18,140:
White, 11,755—
Colored, 6,385—
Under 20___1____ 2,412
Under 20____________ 1,343
20 and over____ 9,343
20 and over__________ 5,042
Alley population: White, 35; colored, 226.
Density per acre, 101.7:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over_________________________________________
' 200 to 299__________________________ ;_________________
150 to 199_________________________________ ____ ______
Mortality rate, 12.62:
W h ite __________ ____10. 64
Colored_____________ 16. 29

1
1
3

S treet__________________ 12.19
A lle y ___________________ 42.14

Schools:
White, 3—
Colored, 3—
1 without equipped yard.
2 without equipped yards.
1 with equipped yard.
1 with summer playground.
1 with summer p l a y ­
ground.1
Eecreation facilities, noncommercial:
Sand piles in Dupont Circle (since 1914).
Commercial recreation:
3 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
2 motion-picture theaters.
4 barrooms.
Recommendations:
For little children’s
northeastern part
trict 5.
In district 1 (or 2 ),
chase o f land west

play retreat, the purchase of land in the
of district 1 or northwestern part of dis­
for play retreat and playground, the pur­
o f Connecticut Avenue.

1 Since 1914.
2 This playground is between Sumner and Magruder Schools.

35


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HEALTH

D IS T R IC T N O . 2.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 120.7 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northwest. Pennsylvania Avenue on south, Rock Creek on west,
M Street on north, and Fifteenth Street, Vermont Avenue,
and Madison Place on east.
Population, 10,360:
White, 5,925—
Colored, 4,435—
Under 20____ ------ 1,073
Under 20
20 and over_ ----- 4,852
20 and over.
Alley population: White, 61 ; colored, 738.

1,009
3,426

Density per acre, 85.8:
Number o f blocks with density o f—
300 and over_____________ ___________
Nonp
200 to 299_______________ ______ _______ I ___2
150 to 199__________ _______________________________
2
Mortality rate, 13.9:'
W h ite----------------------10.29
Colored-------------------- 18.71
Schools :
White, none.

Street____________________13.16
A lle y ________ _________ _
22.52
Colored, 2—
1 without equipped yard.
1 with equipped yard.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Sand piles in Lafayette Square.
Sand piles in Washington Circle (since 1914).
Commercial recreation:
1 dance hall.
1 pool room or bowling alley.
4 motion-picture theaters.
20 barrooms.
Recommendations:
In this district or in district 1, for play retreat and playground,
the purchase o f land west of Connecticut Avenue.
36


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District 2,


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District 3.


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HEALTH

D IS T R IC T N Q . 3.

Area, exclusive of streets, 102.7 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northwest. New York Avenue, E Street, and Virginia Avenue
on south, Rock Creek on west, Pennsylvania Avenue ón north,
and Seventeenth Street on east.
Population, 10,292 :
White, 6,880—
Colored, 3,412—
Under 20________ 1,904
Under 20__
20 and over
4,976
20 and over.
Alley population: White, 7; colored, 688.

1,024
2,388

Density per acre, 100.2:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over___ ____________________
200 to 299____________ _____________
150 to 199__________________________

None.
3
5

Mortality rate, 19.53:
W h ite ______________ 18. 02
Colored_____________ 22. 56

19. 28
23.02

Schools:
White, 2—
1 without equipped yard.
1 with equipped yard.

Street
Alley _

Colored, 1—
1 without equipped yard.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Gallinger Playground, municipal.1
Y. M. C. A., 1736 G Street.
Commercial recreation :
2 pool rooms or bowling alleys
5 barrooms.
Recommendations:
For playground and athletic field, Snow Court to be purchased
and cleared out.
1 Gallinger Playground has been moved to district 4, which adjoins this district on the
south.

37


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HEALTH

D IS T R IC T N O . 4.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 78.1 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northwest. Potomac Park on south, Potomac Biver and Bock
Creek on west, Virginia Avenue, E Street, and New York
Avenue on north, and Seventeenth" Street on east.
Population, 2,226 :
Colored, 1,737—
White, 489—
Under 20____________
603
Under 20_________ 189
20
and
over---------------1,134
20 and over---------- BOO
Alley population: White, 4; colored, 139.
Density per acre, 28.5:
Number of blocks with density o f—
300 and over------------------------------------------------------------ None.
200 to 299_______
None.
150 to 199__________________________________________ None.
Mortality rate, 19.32:
W h ite_________ _____10.22
Colored _*______ ------- 21. 88

S treet----------------------------18. 72
A lley___________________ 27.97

Schools :
Colored, 1—
White, 1—
1 without equipped yard.
1 without equipped yard.
Becreation facilities, noncommercial:1
Y . M. C. A. tennis courts, Twentieth and B Streets NW.
In Potomac Park, adjoining the district on the'south, are located
the bathing pools, managed by the municipal playground de­
partment. Under the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds,
19 tennis courts, 4 baseball diamonds, practice golf links, and
a polo field are also maintained in Potomac Park.
Commercial recreation:
2 barrooms.
Becommendations :
For athletic center (white), the purchase o f land north o f Poto­
mac Park accessible to car line.
1 New Gallinger Playground, municipal, was opened in this district in the spring of
1916, to take the place of the one abandoned in district 3.

38


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

District 4.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

District 5,


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

H E A L T H D IS T R IC T N O . 5.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 177.4 acres.
Location and boundaries :
Northwest. Rhode Island Avenue pn south, Fifteenth Street on
west, Florida Avenue on north, and Seventh Street on east.
Population, 18,565 :
White, 8,064—
Colored, 10,501—
Under 20
_____2,012
Under 20____________ 2, 562
20 and over______6,052
20 and over__________ 7,939
Alley population: White, 22; colored, 162.
Density per acre, 104.6:
Number of blocks with density of—
300 and over----------------------- -------------------------------------200 to 299__________________ ___________ ___________ —
150 to 199_________ — -------------- --------------------------------Mortality rate, 19.66:
W h ite _____________ _ 17.11
C olored _____________ 21.62
Schools:
White, 5—
3 without e q u i p p e d
yards.
1 with equipped yard.
1 with summer p l a y ­
ground.

S treet____________ ______ 19.12
Alley _________________ 31.88
Colored, 4—
2 without equipped yards.
2 with equipped yards.1

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Colored Y. M. C. A., Twelfth north of S Street.
Playground at St. Paul’s Church, Fifteenth and V Streets.
Commercial recreation:
2 dance halls.
9 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
6 motion-picture theaters.
11 barrooms.
Recommendations:
For large playground, the purchase of land.
1 Yard, equipped since 1 9 1 3 -1 4 , Is shared by Garnet and Patterson,

39


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1
4
12

HEALTH

D IS T R IC T N O . 6.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 144.2 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northwest. New York Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue on
south, Madison Place, Vermont Avenue, and Fifteenth Street
on west, Rhode Island Avenue on north, and Seventh Street
on east.
Population, 17,097:
White, 14,067—
Colored, 3,030—
2,384
Under 20______
Under 20____________
692
20 and over_____.11,683
20 and over._________ 2,338
Alley population: White, none; colored, 419.
Density per acre, 118.5:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over____________________ '___________________ ' i
200 to 299____________________________________________
5
150 to 199_________________________________ I _________ 13
Mortality rate, 15.5:
White ____________ 14. 08
S treet-------------------- _____ 14. 98
Colored_____________ 22.11
A lley------------------------------35. 80
Schools:
White, %—
Colored, none.
1 without equipped yard.
1 with equipped yard.1
Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Sand piles in Franklin Square.
Lindsay House (colored), 1210 Blagden Alley, indoor games for
children.
Y. W . C. A., Twelfth and O Streets, tennis courts.
Y. W . H. A., 1330 Tenth Street (since 1914).
Immaculate Conception H all,'711 N Street, social activities.
Carroll Institute, 916 Tenth Street, social activities for men.
Commercial recreation:
Commercial
Commercialrecreation—
recreation—Contd.
2 dance halls.
1 theater.
11 Pool rooms or bowling
1 shooting gallery.
alleys.
19 barrooms.
2 motion-picture theaters.
Recommendations:
For large playground, including suitable space for little children,
the purchase of additional land near Strong John Thomson
School.
1 The Strong John Thomson School has two buildings.

40


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

District 6,


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

HEALTH

D IS T R IC T N O . 7.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 140.9 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northwest. Missouri Avenue (between Third and Sixth Streets)
and B Street on south, Fifteenth Street on west, New York
Avenue on north, Seventh Street between New York Avenue
and G Street, Fifth Street between G and D Streets, John
Marshall Place between D street and Pennsylvania Avenue,
and Third Street between Pennsylvania and Missouri Avenues
on east.
Population, 8,245 :
Colored, 652—
White, 7,593—
Under 20________1,083
Under 20__.
20 and over______6,510
20 and over,
colored,
82.
Alley population : White, 27 ;

103
549

Density per acre, 58.5:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over---------------------------200 to 299_____________________
150 tol99_____________________

None.
’
1
None.

Mortality rate, 21.47 :
W h ite ______________ 19. 62
Colored_____________ 42. 94

21. 50
18. 34

Schools :
White, 1—
1 without equipped yard.

Street
A lley.
Colored, none:

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Y. W. C. A., Fourteenth and G Streets.
Epiphany Parish Hall, 1317 G Street, social activities.
Carroll Hall, G and 10th Streets, social activities.
Immediately south o f this district in Henry Park are 12 tennis
courts, Federal.
Commercial recreation— Contd.
Commercial recreation:
8 theaters.
3 dance halls.
1 shooting gallery.
50 pool rooms or bowling
1 licensed slot machine.
alleys.
106 barrooms.
19 motion-picture theaters.
Recommendations:
•
For a natatorium, the purchase of land in a central location.
41


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

HEALTH

D IS T R IC T N O . 8.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 156.4 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Southwest. P Street between Four - and - a - half and Water
Streets, and Washington Harbor on south, Washington Har­
bor and Fifteenth Street on west, B Street between Fifteenth
and Sixth Streets and Maine Avenue on north, and Fourand-a-half Street on east.
Population, 15,570:
White, 13,305—
Colored, 2,265—
Under 20________4,578
Under 20____________
676
20 and over______8,727
20 and over__________ 1, 589
Alley population: White, 128; colored, 883
Density per acre, 99.5:
Number o f blocks with density o f—
300 and over________________________________________None.
200 to 299_____________________
i
150 to 199_________________________________________
6
Mortality rate, 17.08:
W h ite______________ 14.21
Colored_____________ 33. 99
Schools:
White, 7—
5 without e q u i p p e d
yards.
1 with equipped yard.
1 with summer p l a y ­
ground.

S treet__________________ 16.26
A lley---------1____________ 29.67
Colored, 2—
2 without equipped yards.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Summer playground, municipal, at Neighborhood House.1
Neighborhood House, 470 N Street.
Epiphany Chapel, 230 Twelfth Street, social activities.
Grace Parish Hall, Ninth and D Streets, social activities.
Commercial recreation:
H pool rooms or bowling alleys.
3 motion-picture theaters.
22 barrooms.
Recommendations :
For little children’s play retreat, the purchase o f one plot of
land.
1 Discontinued as municipal playground, 1915.
42


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

District 9,


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

H E A L T H D IS T R IC T N O . 9.

Area, exclusive of streets, 196.5 acres.
Location and boundaries :
Northwest. K Street on south, Seventh Street on west, Florida
Avenue on north, and North Capitol Street on east.
Population, 22,108 :
Colored, 11,094—
White, 11,014—
Under 20—_------3,401
Under 20—
20 and over--------20 and over. __ 7,613
Alley population : White, 42; colored, 2,008.
Density per acre, 112.5:
Number o f blocks with density o f
o w aim uveiZUv/ tO Zt/v--Mortality rate, 20.76:
W h ite --------------- _ _ 14.89
26. 59
Colored--------------

Street ---------------------A lley-----------------------

3,222
7,872

_

__

1
7
11

18. 89
_ 39.02

Schools:
Colored, 11—
White, 8—
8 without equipped yards.8
4 without e q u i p p e d
2
with equipped yards.1
yards.
1
with summer playground.4
3 with equipped yards.1
1 with summer p l a y ­
ground.2
Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
New York Avenue Playground, municipal.
Satterlee House (colored), 1711| Glicks Alley.
Commercial recreation :
Commercial recreation— Contd.
1 dance hall.
1 theater.
19 pool rooms or bowling
1 shooting gallery.
alleys.
1 licensed slot machine.
• 6 motion-picture theaters.
18 barrooms.
Recommendations :
For .athletic field, the purchase o f land near Dunbar High School.
For little children’s play retreats, the purchase o f 2 plots o f land.
iO n e equipped since 1914.
2 On block w ith Polk, Henry, and old Central H ig h ; also, summer 1916, field games
on One corner o f same block under District supervision.
8 One since 1914.
* Between Slater and Langston.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

43

V

HEALTH

D IS T R IC T N O . 10.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 115.5 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northwest. B Street between North Capitol and First Streets,
Pennsylvania Avenue between First Street and John Marshall
Place, D Street between John Marshall Place and Fifth Street,
and G Street between Fifth and Seventh Streets on the south,
John Marshall Place, Fifth and Seventh Streets on the west,
K Street on the north, North Capitol Street on the east.
Population, 15,693:
White, 12,046—
Colored, 3,647—
Under 20------------ 2,722
Under 20____________
909
20 and over--------- 9,324
20 and over
_______ 2,738
Alley population: White, 207; colored, 808.
Density per acre, 135.8:
Number o f blocks with density o f—
300 and over_________________ ___
200 to 299__________________________ _

NYmp
6

150 to 199_______ __ _______ t____ 12
Mortality rate, 18.35:
White — __________ _ 15.86
Colored_________ ____26. 60
Schools:
White, 4—
2 without e q u i p p e d
yards.
1 with equipped yard.
1 with summer p l a y ­
ground.

Street__________________ 17. 92
A lley------------------------------24.63
Colored, none.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Gonzaga Hall, I near North Capitol Street, social activities.
Sand piles in Judiciary Squaie (since 1914).
Commercial recreation:
14 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
2 motion-picture theaters.
22 barrooms.
Recommendations: _
For large playground, the purchase o f land, preferably clearing
out some crowded alley.
For sand piles, the purchase o f one plot o f land.
44


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

District 11,


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

HEALTH

D IS T R IC T N O . 11.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 72.5 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Southwest. I Street on south, Four-and-a-half Street on west,
Maine Avenue, Maryland Avenue, and B Street on north, and
South Capitol Street on east.
Population, 8,189:
Colored, 6,611—
White, 1,578—
Under 20__
Under 20.________
617
20 and over20 and over______
961
Alley population: White, 91; colored, 884.

1,903
4,708

Density per acre, 112.9:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over_______________________________ ________ None
200 to 299________________________________ ______ _____
2
150 to 199__________________________ _______ - _________
5
Mortality rate, 21.86:
W h ite ______________ 12.67 Street____________________ 21.62
Colored_____________ 24. 05 Alley____________________23. 58
Schools :
White, 1—
1 without equipped yard.

Colored, 3—
2 without equipped yards.1
1 with equipped yard.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Willow Tree Park Playground (colored), municipal.
Cardozo Playground (colored), municipal.
Alliance House, 728 Four-and-a-half Street.
Commercial recreation:
1 dance hall.
4 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
2 motion-picture theaters.
8 barrooms.
Recommendations:
For playground, the purchase o f additional land opening W illow
Tree Park Playground to street.
1 Cardozo School (shown on the chart w ith two buildings) has had certain outdoor
play equipment which is now a part of the municipal playground on the block with
Cardozo School.

45


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

H E A L T H D I S T R I C T N O . 1 2.

Area, exclusive of streets, 134 acres.
Location and boundaries :
Southwest. Eastern Branch on south, Four-and-a-half Street
on west, I Street on north, and South Capitol Street on east.
Population, 6,587 :
White, 2,753—
Colored, 3,834—
Under 20________
824
Under 20__
20 and over____1,929
20 and overAlley population : White, 1 ; colored, 392.

1,307
"2,527

Density per acre, 49.1:
Number o f blocks with density o f—
300 and over__________ ______________________________
200 to 299____________________ _________ _____________
150 to 199___________________________ ________________
Mortality rate, 23.53 :
W h ite --------------1 ------ 15.25 S treet_________________ __23. 73
Colored -------------------- 29.47 A lle y -______________ ____20.35
Schools :
White, 1—
1 with summer p l a y
ground.

Colored, 1—
1 without equipped yard.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial :
Colored Social Settlement, 18 L Street, includes tennis court.
Commercial recreation:
2 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
1 motion-picture theater.
1 licensed slot machine.
3 barrooms.
46


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1
1
2

District 12.

This district extends to the shore south of V Street.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

H E A L T H D IS T R IC T N O . 14.

Area, exclusive of streets, 191 acres.
Location and boundaries :
Northeast. East Capitol Street on south, North Capitol Street
on west, K Street on north, and Seventh Street on east.
Population, 16,792:
Colored, 2,289—
White, 14,503—
Under 20— --------------738
Under 20________4,587
20 and over— ---------1, 551
20 and over______9,916
Alley population: White, 238; colored, 495.
Density per acre, 87.9:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over----------------------------------------------- — —— None.
200 to 299---------- ----------------- ------ -----------------------------4
150 to 199------------ ---------------------------------------------------7
Mortality rate, 17.33:
W h it e ______________ 15.38
Colored-------------------- 30.14
Schools:
White, 6—
5 without e q u i p p e d
yards.
1 with summer p 1a y ground.

Street__ ,------------------------ 17.37
A lley ___________________ 16.38
Colored, 1—
1 without equipped yard.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, C and Second Streets, social activities.
Sand piles in Stanton Square (since 1914).
Commercial recreation:
7 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
6 motion-picture theaters.
14 barrooms.
Recommendations:
For large playground, including suitable space for little children,
the purchase o f land.
The recommended purchase o f the Patterson tract in district 30
for an athletic center and playground would be o f benefit to
district 13 and to the northern part of district 14.
47


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

H E A L T H D IS T R IC T N O . 15.

Area, exclusive o f sheets, 120.3 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Southeast. I Street on south, South Capitol Street on west, East
Capitol Street on north, Seventh Street on east.
Population, 13,022:
,
White, 10,607—
Colored, 2,415—
Under 20________ 2,726
Under 20____________
785
20 and over______7,881
20 and over__________ 1,630
Alley population: White, 2; colored, 484.
Density per acre, 108.2:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over_______ _______________________________ None.
200 to 299__________________________________________
3
150 to 199____
5
Mortality rate, 16.12 :
W h ite ______________ 14.71
Colored_____________ 22. 36

S treet______________ ____16. 39
A lley ____________ _______: 34.98

Schools:
. White, 5—
4 without e q u i p p e d
yards.
1 with equipped yard.1

Colored, 2—
1 without equipped yard.
1 with summer playground.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Friendship House, 324 Virginia Avenue.
Garfield Park Playground, municipal.2
1 tennis court in Garfield Park, Federal.2
Commercial recreation:
1 dance hall.
2 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
2 motion-picture theaters.
7 barrooms.
Recommendations:
Use o f public land around power plant at Virginia Avenue and
South Capitol Street for athletics.
1 Since 1914.

48


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

«Federal Reservation No. 17.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

District 16.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

HEALTH

D I S T R I C T N O . 1 6.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 106.4 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Southeast. Eastern Branch on south, South Capitol Street on
west, I Street on north, and Fourteenth Street on east.
Population, 8,633 :
Colored, 2,614—
White, 6,019—
Under 2 0 _________ 2,145
Under 20 __
20 and over.
20 and over______3,874
Alley population : White, 61 ; colored, 107.

907
•I, 707

Density per acre, 81.1:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over_______________ _
200 to 299____________________
150 to 199____________________

1
3
3

Mortality rate, 15.64:
W h ite ______________ 11. 29
Colored_____________ 25. 63

S treet__ _______________ 15. 00
Alley - __________________ 47.62

Schools:
White, 1—
1 with equipped yard.

Colored, 1 —
1 without equipped yard.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Sand piles in Federal .Reservation at Sixth and K Streets SE.
Baseball in same reservation, under municipal supervision.1
Virginia Avenue Playground, municipal.
Commercial recreation :
1 dance hall.
•
3 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
1 barroom.
Appropriation 1 9 1 6 -1 7 provides for equipment for various athletic activities.

74262°—17----------- 4


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

‘

49

HEALTH

D IS T R IC T N O . 17.

Area, exclusive of streets, 159.5 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northeast. East Capitol Street on south, Seventh Street on
west, K Street and Florida Avenue on north, and Fourteenth
Street on east.
Population, 16,121 :
White, 13,718—
Colored, 2,403—
Under 20 ________4,810
Under 20 __
20 and over______8,908
20 and overAlley population: White, 5; colored, 227.

843
1,560

Density per acre, 101:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over__________________
200 to 299____________________
150 to 199____________________

1
2
8

Mortality rate, 13.46 :
White
______ ____ 12.39 I S treet ;*._________________ 13.34
Colored_____________ 19. 56 | A lley_____________________ 2 1 . 55
Schools:
White, 9—
Colored, 1—
7 without e q u i p p e d
1 with equipped yard,
yards.
2 with equipped yards.
• Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Ingram Memorial Church, Massachusetts Avenue and Tenth
Street, social activities, including swimming. (See also dis­
trict 18.)
Commercial recreation:
1 dance hall.
•
5 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
6 motion-picture theaters.
1 shooting gallery.
7 barrooms.
Recommendations:
For little children’s play retreats, the purchase of 2 plots o f land.
50


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

' District 18.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

H E A L T H D IS T R IC T N O . 18.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 139.9 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Southeast. Potomac Avenue and I Street on south, Seventh
Street on west, East Capitol Street on north, and Fourteenth
Street on east.
Population, 11,570:
Colored, 1,509—
White, 10,061—
_
3,280
Under 20
Under 20— _
___
6,781
20 and over.
20 and over_
White,
2
;
colored,
343.
Alley population :
Density per acre, 82.7.
Number of blocks with density o f—
300 and over--------------------------200 to 299_____________________
150 to 199_____________________
Mortality rate, 12.27 :
White
__________ 10 . 20 Street
Colored_____________ 25.84 Alley:.
Schools:
White, 7—
4 without e q u i p p e d
yards.
1 with equipped yard.
2 with summer p l a y ­
grounds.1

576
933

1
4
6

1 1 . 67
31. 88

Colored, none.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial :
Tennis courts o f Ingram Memorial Church, Twelfth Street south
o f East Capitol Street.
Commercial recreation:
1 dance hall.
4 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
6 motion-picture theaters.
2 barrooms.
1 One since 1914.


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HEALTH

D I S T R I C T N O . 1 9.

*
Area, exclusive o f streets, 70.6 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northeast. East Capitol Street on south, Fourteenth Street on
West, Benning Road on north, and Eastern Branch on east.
Population, 4,385 :
White, 3,362—
Colored, 1,023—
Under 20________ 1,301
Under 20___
20 and o v e n __ __ 1,971
20 and oven.
Alley population : White, none ; colored, 2 1 .

445
578

Density per acre, 62.1:
Number o f blocks with density o f—
»
300 and over______________________________________
1
200 to 299____________ _— ----------------------- — ______ None.
150 to 199„_________________ *---------------------------------- None.
Mortality rate, 15.73 :
W h ite _________
Colored________

10.23
26. 39

Schools:
White, 2—
1 without equipped yard.
1 with equipped yard.

Street
A lle y .

Colored, none.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial :
Rosedale Playground, municipal.
, Noel House, 1661 Kraemer Street.
Commercial recreation:
1 pool room or bowling alley.
3 barrooms.
1 Bate not shown when base is less than 100.

52


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

15. 58
(l )

District 19.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

H E A L T H D IS T R IC T N O . 33.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 144.5 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northwest. Florida Avenue on south, Seventh Street, Florida
Avenue to Elm Street, Second Street to Michigan Avenue on
west, Michigan Avenue on north, North Capitol Street on
east.
Population, 8,549 :
White, 6,978— /
Under 20________2,009
20 and over______4,969

Colored, 1,571—
433
Under 20____________
20 and over--------------- 1,138

Density per acre, 59.1:
Number of blocks with density of—
300
andover----------------------------None.
200 to 299______
None.
150 to 199- ' ______________________________ _______
1
Mortality rate, 11.93:
W h ite________________________________ ________________ 10- 32

"Colored---------------------------- -----------------------------------------19* 10
Schools :
White, 1—
1 without
yard.

Colored, none.
equipped

Recreation facilities, noncommercial.:
Bethany Baptist Church, 215 Rhode Island Avenue, tennis
courts.
Bloomingdale Playground, municipal.
Y. W. C. A. (colored), 429 T Street NW.
Commercial recreation :
2 poolrooms or bowling alleys.
2 motion-picture theaters.
Recommendations:
For little children’s play retreat, the purchase o f land south of
Rhode Island Avenue or in the western part o f district 31.
53

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

H E A L T H D IS T R IC T N O . 34.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 90 acres.
Location and boundaries :
Northwest. Elm Street on south, Georgia Avenue on west, Co­
lumbia Road on north, Second Street on east.
Population, 3,214:
White, 801—
Colored, 2,413—
Under 20 ____
299
Under 20_________ ___
878
20 and over_
502
20 and over__________ 1,535
Alley population: White, none; colored, 198.
Density per acre, 35.7:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over____________________________*___________ None.
200 to 299_____________ _________________ »_____ ____None.
150 to 199_____________ L_____________________ _____None.
Mortality rate, 37.33 :
W h ite______________ 12.48
Colored_____________ 45. 59
Schools:
White, none.

Street__________________ 38.13
A lley________ ___________ 25.25

Colored, 2—
2 with equipped yards.1

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Howard Playground (colored), municipal.
Commercial recreation:
1 pool room or bowling alley.
1 One since 1914.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

V


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H E A L T H D IS T R IC T N O . 35.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 179.8 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northwest. Florida Avenue on south, Sixteenth Street on west,
Columbia Road on north, Georgia
Population, 11,669:
White, 8,894—
Colored,
Under 20________2,214
Under 20 .
20 and over______6,680
20 and
Alley population : White, none ; colored, 22 .
Density per acre, 64.8 ?
Number o f blocks with density o f—
300 and over---------------------------200 to 299_____________________
150 to 199_____________________
Mortality rate, 14.57 :
W h ite_____________ - 10.79
Colored_____________ 26, 67
Schools:
White, 3—
1 without e q u i p p e d
yard .2
1 with equipped yard.
1 with athletic field.2

None.

1
None.

Street
A lley.

14. 51

0)

Colored, 1—
1 without equipped yard.

Recreatipn facilities, noncommercial:
The Center (colored), 2309 Eighth Street.
Fourth Presbyterian Church, Fairmont and Thirteenth Streets,
social activities.
Mount Pleasant Congregational Church, Columbia Road near
Fourteenth Street, social activities.
Commercial recreation :
1 dance hall.
3 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
Recommendations:
For little children’s play retreat, the purchase of land east o f
Eleventh Street.
Use of part of Meridian Park as a playground.
1 Rate not shown when base is less than 100.
* Since 1914.

55


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H E A L T H D IS T R IC T N O . 36.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 269.4 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northwest. Columbia Road on south, Sixteenth Street on west,
Spring Road on north, Soldiers’ Home on east.
Population, 13,848:
White, 12,352—
Under 20 ________ 3,586’
20 and over______8,766

Colored, 1,496—
Under 20____________
20 and over__________

506
990

Density per acre, 51.4:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over__ _______________________
200
to 299____________
150
to 199__________

None.
None.
None.

Mortality rate, 10.54:
Whit©---------------------------------------------------Colored______________

20.05

Schools:
White, 5—
3 without e q u i p p e d
yards.
2 with summer p l a y ­
grounds.1

9.39

Colored, 1—
1 with equipped yard.

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Mount Pleasant Playground, municipal.
Calvary Church, Columbia Road between Fourteenth and F if­
teenth Streets, social activities.
Commercial recreation:
4 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
6 motion-picture theaters.
Recommendations:
For athletic center, the purchase of land near Georgia Avenue.
For large playground, the purchase o f land, including suitable
space for sand pile, west o f Eleventh Street.
1 One since 1914.

56


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District 48.


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«

HÈALTH

D IS T R IC T N O . 48.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 217.6 acres.
Location and boundaries :
Northwest. M Street on south, Wisconsin Avenue on west,
Massachusetts Avenue and Eock Creek on northeast.
Population, 7,362:
Colored, 2,362—
White, 5,000—
Under 201
Under 20________ 1,565
20 and over.
20 and over______•3,435
Alley population : White, 5 ; colored, 141.
Density per acre, 33.8:
Number o f blocks with density of—
300 and over_________________
200 to 299_____________________
150 to 199____________________

736

1 , 626

None.
None.

1

Mortality rate, 15.48 :
W hite'_______.______ 15. 40 Street_______ __________ _ 15. 66
Colored__________ — 15.66 A lley____________________ 6.85
Schools :
White, 3—
Colored, 1—
1 without equipped yard.
1 with summer playground.
2 with equipped yards.1
Eecreation facilities, noncommercial :
3 tennis courts and a croquet field in Montrose Park, Federal.
Commercial recreation:
3 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
2 motion-picture theaters.
4 barrooms.
Eecommendations :
For little children’s play retreat, the purchase o f land in the
eastern part.
1 One since 1914. The school with yard equipped before 1914 is outside the area
covered by the chart.

57


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H E A L T H D IS T R IC T N O . 49.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 51.4 acres.
Location and boundaries :
Northwest. Potomac River on south, Thirty-seventh Street on
west, M Street on north, Rock Creek on east.
Population, 1,841:
White, 1,292—
Colored, 549—
Under 2 0 _ _____ 556'
Under 20
_ __ 184
20 and over
736
20 and over___
_ 365
Alley population: White, 56 ; colored, 51.
Density per acre, 35.8
Number of blocks with density o f—
300 and over.
200 to 299
150 to 199__
Mortality rate, 27.16:
White
_ __ _
C o lo r e d ________

18.57
47. 36

S treet____ _
Alley ________

_ None.
None.
_ None.

.

__ 23.06
93.47

Schools: None.
Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Peck Memorial, M Street near Pennsylvania Avenue, social
activities.
Grace Church, Wisconsin Avenue and South Street, social activi* ties.
Commercial recreation:
8 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
7 barrooms.

•

Recommendations:
For large playground (colored), the clearing out of a crowded
alley such as Cissel Court.


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District 49.


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HEALTH

D IS T R IC T N O . 50.

Area, exclusive o f streets, 496.9 acres.
Location and boundaries:
Northwest. M Street and Conduit Road on south, Fox Hall and
Ridge Roads on west, Tunlaw Road on north, Wisconsin Ave­
nue on east.
Population, 7,574 :
Colored, 1,160—
White, 6,414—
Under 20
Under 20__._____ 2,315
20 and over.
20 and over._____ 4,099
Alley population : White, none; colored, 98.
Density per acre, 15.2:
Number o f blocks with density o f—
300 and over— ----------------------200 to 299___ _________
150 to 199____________________
Mortality rate, 18.22 :
Whiter1__________ ____ 15.43
Colored_____________ 33. 62
Schools:
White, 8—
5 without e q u i p p e d
yards.
2 with equipped yards.2
1 with athletic field.

420
740

None.
None.
None.

Street
Alley-

17. 79

0)

Colored, 1—
1 without equipped yard,

Recreation facilities, noncommercial:
Georgetown Playground, municipal.
Bruen Home Playground, municipal (discontinued since 1914).
Commercial recreation:
2 pool rooms or bowling alleys.
2 motion-picture theaters.
1 shooting gallery.
9 barrooms.
Recommendations:
For little children’s play retreat, the purchase o f one plot of
land.
1 B ate not shown when base is less than 100.
2 One o f these yards is in block w ith Addison, Curtis, and Hyde Schools.


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SUMMARY.
Administration.—The Federal Government through the Chief of
Engineers o f the United States Army, the District government
through its department o f playgrounds, and the District board of
education each provides certain public recreation facilities in Wash­
ington.
An ex officio recreation commission, consisting o f the officer in
charge of public buildings and grounds, the president o f the District
Commissioners, and the president o f the board o f education, affords
opportunity for consultation and cooperation among these three
branches o f the Government.
The Federal Government provides athletic facilities primarily in­
tended for adults, and benches for mothers and a few sand boxes for
babies.
The District department of playgrounds provides supervised play­
grounds, during 10 months o f the year, especially adapted for chil­
dren o f grade-school age.
The board o f education provides play equipment in school yards.
During six weeks in summer certain o f these yards are used also for
supervised play. These are supported by voluntary contributions but
directed by the school authorities.
v
Existing facilities.— Sand piles are maintained in seven open
squares for little children. Each o f the 12 District playgrounds and
20 school summer playgrounds also includes some provision for the
older children o f this group. These 39 sites do not, however, bring a
play space for little children within one-quarter o f a mile, o f every
home in the closely built sections o f the city.
During six weeks in summer the District playground department
and the school authorities between them conduct 24 supervised play­
grounds for white children and 8 supervised playgrounds for colored
children. These are adapted primarily to the needs of children 7 to
14 years o f age, o f whom there are about 30,000 white and 12,000
colored in the District of Columbia. Fourteen o f the playgrounds
for white children and 5 o f the playgrounds for colored children are
within the limits o f the original city (health districts 1 to 20 ) and
must serve about 16,000 white children and 8,500 colored children 7
to 14 years o f age who live in these districts.
Throughout the school year the school yards (o f which 66 are fur­
nished with play equipment) are used during recess, but no pro­
vision is made for supervised play after school or on Saturdays.
Many school buildings are in use, however, which have small yards
and at which outdoor play during recess is possible only in the streets
60

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F A C I L I T I E S F O R C H I L D R E N 'S P L A Y , D IS T R IC T O F C O L U M B I A »

61

It should be noted that street play is forbidden by law. During two
winter months the use o f school yards during recess is the only pro­
vision for public outdoor recreation.
During the remainder o f the year the supervised playgrounds
under the playground department o f the District government (12 in
all__ 9 for white and 3 for colored) are open on every week day from
9 a. m. until dark. Four o f these grounds have some provision for
athletics attractive to boys o f high-school age. Supervised base­
ball is also carried on by this department in two fields not connected
with playgrounds. Tw o o f the nine high schools have athletic fields.
Thirty-five tennis courts, 12 ball fields, a polo ground, and a prac­
tice golf course are maintained by the Office o f Public Buildings and
Grounds. Permits for these are issued by that office free upon appli­
cation.
.
_ . .M
The construction o f a complete athletic center is proposed m the
eastern part o f Potomac Park.
^
■
The Department of Playgrounds o f the District o f Columbia main­
tains outdoor swimming pools for men, women, and children in the
Monument Grounds and outdoor swimming pools for children, which
may be used by adults, in connection with three playgrounds. An
indoor swimming pool has been opened in the new Central High
School.
Ten schools have indoor gymnasiums. Only one o f these has
been used by persons not directly connected with the school.
School buildings are increasingly used as civic and social centers.
It appears that, with the exception of high-school organizations,
these activities have not been arranged to have any special interest
for young people.
In a few districts noncommercial indoor recreation and several
tennis courts are offered by various churches and settlements.
Recommendations.1—I. That an advisory committee o f nine be ap­
pointed by the ex officio recreation commission.
II. That existing public facilities be used to their fullest extent,
and that the necessary supervision be provided from public funds.
II I. That additional leaders for special kinds o f playground and
social-center work be secured.
IV . That in districts where existing facilities are inadequate to
meet the needs of all the residents (as shown by intensive studies in
this report) additional land and equipment be provided.
V. That the advisory committee give careful consideration to pro­
vision for recreation in outlying districts in order that, as a measure
o f economy, necessary space may be reserved or secured before serious
congestion arises. >.
V I. That ample provision be made for public baths and swimming.
1 For a more extended discussion see p. 29.


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APPENDIX,

TABLES.
T a b l e 1 .— Population and density per acre o f old Washington and outlying health

,

districts, police census o f 1918.

Area
(streets Density
per acre.
ex­
cluded).

Popula­
tion.

Section.

89.5
37.6
4.4

2,615
1,365
15,450

234,085
51,320
67,892

—

T able 2 .— Population o f D istrict o f Columbia , by color , age groups , and health
districts , police census o f 1913.
Colored.

White.
Health dis­
trict.

Total
I t o 20.
1........
2 .....
3

4
5
6

7
8
9

10
11.......
12.......
13
14
15
16
17
18
1 9 ..
20. . . .
21___
22----23
24
2 5 ..
2 6 ..
2 7 ..
2 8 ..
2 9 ..
3 0 ..
3 1 .-.3 2 ..
3 3 ..
3 4 ..
3 5 ..

Total.

Under
5
years.

5 to
14
years.

15 to
19
years.

20
years
and
over.

255,153

20,685

34,494

18,914

181,060

Total.

353,297

234,085 161,363 12,830 20,647 11,^63 116,323
9,343
775
598 1,039
11,755
18,140
4,852
256
527
290
5,925
10,360
4,976
455
886
563
6j880
10,292
....................
300
49
92
48
489
2,226
............. 8,064
6,052
561
800
651
18,565
....................
11,683
696
1,100
588
14,067
17,097
.............
6,510
238
291 v 554
7,593
8,245,
.............
8,727
1,036
2,249
1,293
13,305
15.570
..............
7,613
903
1,546
952
11,014
22,108
.............
9,324
617
1,245
860
12,046
15,693
..............
961,
135
298
184
1,578
8,189
1,929
186
390
248
2,753
6,587
2,988
409
881
614
4,892
6,283
....................
9,916
1,271
2,043
1,273
14,503
16,792
___________
7,881
873
1,143
710
10,607
13,022
---------------3,874
536
977
632
6,019
8,633
---------------8,908
1,235
2,191
1,384
13,718
16,121
___________
6,781
816
915 1,549
10,061
11.570
---------------1,971
303
673
415
3,362
4,385
.
1,734
213
464
321
2,732
4,207
596
80
257
115
1,048
I,
501
27
1
14
6
48
2,153
207
34
114
39
394
570
___________
969
141
386
192
1,688
1.868
---------------1,865
312
653
375
3,205
.. 4,871
2,256
20
5
2,281
.. 2,941
1,758
150
375
218
2,501
.. 4,304
265
115
131
42
553
816
..
825
126
260
142
1,353
.. 1,387
1,017
206
341
173
1,737
2,915
..
2,673
363
605
422
4,063
4,206'
2,402
451
584
306
3,743
.. 3,977
4,969
582
906
521
6,978
.. 8,549
502
56
133
110
801
3,214
..
6,680
614
1,047
553
1 8,894
669
.. I I ,


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Total.

Under 5 to
14
5 .
years. years.

8,457
72,722
6,385
4,435
3,412
1,737
10,501
3,030
652
2,265
11,094
3,647
6,611
3,834
1,391
2,289
2,415
2,614
2; 403
1,509
1,023
1,475
453
2,105
176
180
1,666
660
1,803
263
34
1,178
143
234
1,571
2,413
2,775

13,889

,151
370
260
259
174
805
187
24
191
909
354
637
456
170
217
228
273
227
144
124
142
50
268
19
26
200
167

1

4
149,
231
30
113
200
248

20

15 to years
19
and
years. over.
7,249

9.602 4,901
376
597
279
470
271
494
133
296
694
1,063
204
• 301
21
58
115
370
710
1.603
174
381
365
901
245
606
112
232
344
177
204
353
267
367
199
417
126
306
115
206
114
237
39
110
181
489
39
13
10
38
132
388
18
2
391
155
152
102
4
6
130
253
20
14
18
37
181'
139
358
320
506
157

68,549
52,068
5,042
3,426
2,388
1,134
7,939
2,338
549
1,589
7,872
2,738
4,708
2,527
877
1,551
1,630
1,707
1,560
933
578
982
254
1,167
105
106
946
640
1,090
8
20
646
86

149
1,138
1,535
1,864

64

F A C I L I T I E S F O R C H I L D R E N *S P L A Y , D IS T R IC T O F C O L U M B I A .

T able 2.— Population o f D istrict o f Colum bia, b y color, age groups, and health
police census o f 1913 — Continued.

White.
Health dis­
trict.

Total.
Total.

36................
37................
38................
39................
40................
41................
42................
43................
44................
45................
46................
47................
48................
49................
50................
51................
52................
53................

Under
5 to
5
„ 14
years. years.

13,848
12,352
1,639
1,481
2,439
2,425
1,426
1,254
2,719 . 2,580
2,083
1,931
1,345
962
4,271
3,993
6,491
5,790
1,839
1,123
1,898
1,708
3,414
2,969
7,362
5,000
1,841
1,292
7,574
6,414
1,565
1,347
664
566
1,853
1,316

1,099
30
288
166
211
188
91
323
365
99
114
160
394
161
585
170
60
137

Colored.
20
years
and
over.

15 to
19
years.

1,770
59
400
235
504
245
177
498
492
172
347
324
777
267
1,165
204
120
280

717
64
146
106
148
103
96
362
303
70
266
250
394
128
565
197
34
151

Total.

8,766
1,328
1 591
747
1,717
1,395
598
2,810
4,630
782
981
2,235
3,435
736
4,099
776
352
748

1,496
158
14
172
139
152
383
278
701
716
190
445
2,362
549
1,160
218
98
537

Under 5 to
5
14
years. years.

20
15 to years
19
and
years. over.

147
11

262
18

97
12

990
117

30
9
10
50
2
33
73
2
5
203
54
111
14
7
47

32
34
15
65
7
45
101
3
4
359
89
202
24
13
100

6
9
11
35
31
55
67
16
13
174
41
107
97
7
79

104
87
116
233
238
568
475
169
423
1,626
365
740
83
71
311

T able 3.— D en s ity o f population o f the D istrict o f Colum bia, b y health districts,
police census o f 1913.

Popula­
tion.

Health district.

District of Columbia...........................
1............................................

20................................
2 1 .:....................
23...............................
24....................................
26.......................................
27.....................................
28....................................


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t

Streets excluded.

Streets included.

Area
(acres).

Density
per acre.

Area
(acres).

Density
per acre.

353,297

19,430.5

18.1

35,762.6

9.8

18,140
10,360
10,292
2,226
18,565
17,097
8,245
15,570
22,108
15,693
8,189
6,587
6,283
16,792
13,022
8,633
16,121
11,570
4,385
4,207
1,501
2,153
570
1,868
4,871
2,941
4,304
816
1,387
2,915
4,206
3,977
8,549
3,214
11,669
13,848

178.2
120.7
102.7
78.1
177.4
144.2
140.9
156.4
196.5
115.5
72.5
134.0
95.7
191.0
120.3
106.4
159.5
139.9
70.6
113.7
1,058.2
524.9
1,190.5
575.7
668.4
188.2
2,034.4
673.6
213.3
525.8
168.7
676.4
144.5
90.0
179.8
269.4

101.7
85.8
100.2
28.5
104.6
118.5
58.5
99.5
112.5
135.8
112.9
49.1
65.6
87.9
108.2
81.1
101.0
82.7
62.1
37.0
1.4
4.1
.4
3.2
7.2
15.6
2.1
1.2
6.5
5.5
24.9
5.8
59.1
35.7
64.8
51.4

385.6
202.0
183.6
192.8
273.6
280.9
292.7
316.8
316.8
265.3
376.4
318.6
190.0
354.4
291.0
339.3
305.7
254.8
462.3
358.5
1,526.1
769.5
2,112.0
894.3
964.1
,217.1
3,169.8
1,472.9
358.1
985.3
313.1
1,136.8
224.5
155.1
252.5
318.6

47.0
51.2
56.0
11.5
67.8
60.8
28.1
48.9
69.7
59.1
21.7
20.6
33.0
47.4
44.7
25.4
52.7
45.4
9.4
11.7
.9
2.7
.2
2.0
5.0
13.5
1.3
.5
3.8
2.9
13.4
3.4
38.0
20.7
46.2
43.4

FACILITIES FOE, CH ILDEEN’ s PLAY, DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA.

65

T able 3.— D e n s ity o f population o f th e D istrict o f Colum bia, b y health districts,
police census o f 1913 — Continued.

Streets included.

Streets excluded.
Popula­
tion.

Health district.

1,639
2,439
1,426
2,719
2,083
1,345
4,271
6,491
1,839
1,898
3,414
7,362
1,841
7,574
1,565
664
1,853

4Ì....................................................................................
43....................................................................................
44 .................................................................................
47....................................................................................
48....................................................................................
¿ i ....................................................................................
53....................................................................................

Density
per acre.

Area
(acres).

2.4
20.8
6.0
3.7
2.9
1.3
11.0
48.0
39.2
2.8
9.7
33.8
35.8
15.2
2.7
1.5
3.5

662.9
116.7
236.2
728.2
709.5
985.5
387.7
135.2
46.8
675.4
349.5
217.6
51.4
496.9
567.5
418.4
527.0

Density
per acre.

Area
(acres.)
1,773.1
291.0
420.5
1,084.4
1,147.8
3,172.6
844.8
377.4
68.8
1,051.4
603.6
505.0
91.8
821.8
994.4
858.5
826.4

0.9
8.3
3.3
2.5
1.8
.4
5.0
17.2
26.7
1.8
5.6
14.5
20.0
9.2
1.5
.7
2.2

T able ‘ 4.— A tten d a n ce at m unicipal playgrounds, b y seasons, 1914-1

Attendance.
Spring and fall.

Summer.

Average.

Average.
Playground.
Different children.

Total.
Per
week.

Total....................................
W hite..................................

310,955
259,594

23,802
19,853

Per
week.
Per
day.

Per
week.
7,410

508,487

22,740

3,864

10,084

3,378

384,163

17,510

2,952

7,558

62,328

2,709

492

721

33,932
38,526
38,526

1,479
1,679
2,312

227
329
365

735
839
1,141

New York Avenue2. .....................
Rosedale2.......................................
Virginia Avenue2.........................

508
140
177
330
307
62
479
316
229
526
304

717
140
354
554
615
171
927
171
585
1,019
841

Colored................................

51,361

3,949

670

Mount Pleasant.............................

Cardozo2........................................
Howard.........................................

23,391
27,970

1,798
2,151

Per
week.

6,094

3,055
1,542
Ì.’, Ö61
1,654
1,693
271
2,914
1,013
l',764
3,059
1,827

Gallinger3......................................
Garfield Park2..............................
Georgetown...................................

Per
day.

4,048

39,177
21,052
13'894
21,512
21,512
4,905
37,919
13,172
22’ 932
39,769
23,750

Bloomingdale................................

Different children.

Total.

312
358

77,036

3,523

566

1,218

43,973
55,389
34,453

Í.9Í2
2,408
1,488

314
410
249

956
1,206
742

1,316

124,324

5,230

912

2,526

599
717

39,785
84,539

1,555
3,675

315
597

684
1,842

1Since survey was completed Bruen Home, Gallinger, Montessori, and. Neighborhood House Playgrounds
have been discontinued and Willow Tree Park, new Gallinger, and Wilcox Playgrounds opened.
All of
these except Wilcox are in the old city.
2 In old city.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

6 6

F A C I L I T I E S F O R C H I L D R E N ’ S P L A Y , D IS T R IC T O F C O L U M B I A .

T able 5.— A tten d a n ce at school su m m er playgrounds, 19

14.1

Attendance.
Different children.

Playground.

Total.
Average Average
per day. per week.
Total.........

117,270

3,897

4,871

W hite.......

87,960

2,920

3,649

Arthur2..............
Bowen2......... .
Chevy Chase......
Cleveland2.......
Congress Heights
Henry2..........
Jefferson2............
Ketcham............
Ludlow2.............
Monroe...............
Petworth............
Wallach2............

5,580
8,940
2,130
8,130
3,900
8,640
14,250
6,630
7,680
8,880
4,350
8,850

186
298
59
271
130
288
475
221
256
296
145
295

233
372
71
339
162
•360
594
276
320
371
. 182
369

Colored___

29,310

977

1,222

5,370
4,320
6,120
5,100
8,400

179
144
204
170
280

224
180
255
213
350

Birney................
Giddings2..........
Langston2........
Magruder2..........
Phillips................

1 Season 1916: Chevy Chase and Petworth discontinued; Bryan, Force, Langdon, Morgan, Powell
added.

2In

old city.

T able 6.— M otion -pictu re th e a te rs: N u m ber, capacity, and daily attendance, by
section s o f the city and color, 1911f.

Section.

Number Seating
of thea­ capacity.
ters.

Daily attendance.
Total.

Adults.

Minors.

The city...............................................................

73

27,796

44,088

35,858

8,230

W hite...................................................................

61

25,661

39,416

32,242

7,174

Northwest........................................... ..........................
Southwest..... ................................................................
Northeast.......................................................................
Southeast...................................................................

44
2
8
7

19,225
392
3,515
2,529

29,734
566
4,972
4,144

24,668
398
3,778
3,398

5,066
168
1,194
746

Colored.................................................................

7

1,300

2,740

2,100

640

Northwest......................................................................
Southeast.............................................. : .......................

6
1

1,150
150

2,440
300

1,900
200

540
100

5

836

1,932

1,516

416

4
1

651
185

1,612
320

1,316
200

296
120

White and colored...............................................
Northwest............................. .......................................
Southwest......................'...............................................


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L A W S A F F E C T IN G R E C R E A T IO N IN T H E D IS T R IC T O F C O L U M B IA .
PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC PEACE.
T h e P r e s e r v a t io n o f P u b l ic P e a c e a n d P r o t e c t io n o f P r o p e r t y . [27 S t a t u t e s
a t L a r g e C 320 p 322 ( A c t o f J u l y 29, 1892) a s a m e n d e d b y 30 S t at L C
638 p 723 ( A c t o f J u l y 8, 1898) ]

It shall not be law ful for any person or persons w ithin the D istrict o f Colum­
bia to throw any stone or other missile in any street, avenue, alley, road, or
highway, or open space, or public square, or inclosure, or to throw any stone
or other missile from any place into any street, avenue, road, or highway, alley,
open space, public square, or inclosure, under a penalty o f not more than five
dollars fo r every such offense, [s 3]
It shall not be law ful for any person or persons to set up or fly any kite, or
set up or fly any fire balloon or parachute in or upon or over any street, avenue,
alley, open space, public inclosure, or square within the lim its o f the cities o f
W ashington and Georgetown, under a penalty o f not m ore than ten dollars fo r
each and every such offense, [s 4]
v s
.
It shall not be law ful for any person or persons w ithin the D istrict ot Coiumbia to congregate and assemble in any street, avenue, alley, road, or highway,
or in or around any public building or inclosure, or any park or reservation, or
at the entrance o f any private building or inclosure, and engage in loud and
boisterous talking or other disorderly conduct, or to insult or make rude or
obscene gestures or comments or observations on persons passing by, or in their
hearing, or to crowd, obstruct, or incommode the free use o f any such street,
avenue, alley, road, highway, or any o f the foot pavements thereof, or the free
entrance into any public or private building or in closu re; it shall not be law fu l
for any person or persons to curse, swear, or make use o f any profane language
or indecent or obscene words, or engage in any disorderly conduct in any street,
avenue, alley, road, highway, public park or inclosure, public building, church,
or assembly room, or in any other public place, or in any place wherefrom the
same may be heard in any street, avenue,, alley, road, highway, public park or
inclosure, or other building, or in any premises other than those where the
offense w as committed, under a penalty o f not more than twenty-five dollars
fo r each and every such offense, [s 5 and 6 ]
It shall not be law ful for any person or persons to entice, induce, urge, or
cause any dogs to engage in. a fight in any street, alley, road, or highway, open
space, or public square in the D istrict o f Columbia, or to urge, entice, or cause
such dogs to continue or prolong such fight, under a penalty o f not more than
five dollars fo r each and every offense; and any person or persons w ho shall
induce or cause any animal o f the dog kind to run after, bark at, frighten, or
bite any person, horse, or horses, cows, cattle o f any kind, or other animals
law fully passing along or standing in or on any street, avenue, road, or high­
way, or alley in the D istrict o f Columbia, shall forfeit and pay fo r every such
offense a sum not exceeding five dollars, [s 10]
. . .
....
. ..
It shall not be law ful for any person .or persons w ithin the lim its o f the
D istrict o f Columbia to kindle or set on fire, or be present, aiding, consenting,
or causing it to be done, in any street, avenue, road, or highway, alley, open
ground, or lot, any box, barrel, straw, shavings, or other combustible, between
the setting and rising o f the s u n ; and, any person offending against the provi­
sions o f this act shall, on conviction thereof, forfeit and pay a sum not exceed­
ing ten dollars fo r each and every offense, [s 14]
x ^ ^
The provisions o f the several laws and regulations w ithin the D istrict o f
Columbia for the protection o f public or private property and the preservation
o f peace and order be, and the same are hereby, extended to all public buildings
and public grounds belonging to the United States within the D istrict o f
Columbia. And any person guilty o f disorderly and unlaw ful conduct in or
about the same, * * * shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not m ore than
fifty dollars, [s 15]
67


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68

F A C IL IT IE S F O R C H I L D R E N ’ S P L A Y , D IS T R IC T O F C O L U M B I A .

It shall not be law ful for any person or persons to play the game o f football,
or any other game w ith a ball, in any o f the streets, avenues, or alleys in the
cities o f W ashington and G eorgetow n; nor shall it be law ful for any person or
persons to play the game o f bandy, shindy, or any other game by which a ball,
stone, or other substance is struck or propelled by any stick, cane, or other
substance in any street, avenue, or alley in the cities o f W ashington and
Georgetown, under a penalty o f not more than five dollars for each and every
such offense, [s 17]
PUBLIC PARK LANDS.

Case

a n d C ontrol of L and B etween B uilding L ine and
of Colum bia C ompiled S tatutes 1889 s 121 p 179 (1 st
A ct of J u n e 20, 1872, C 29 s l p 41) ]

Sid e w a lk . [D istrict
L egislative A ssembly

It shall not be law ful fo r any person or persons who are not the owners or
occupants o f the lots lying on the same street or avenue, and fronting on the
parks now made, or which shall hereafter be made on the side or sides o f any
street or avenue in the cities o f W ashington and Georgetown to enter, walk, or
trespass on such parks, or to cut or injure in any way, the grass, flowers, trees,
or shrubbery grow ing thereon, or to deface, climb upon, or injure the railings,
posts or chains inclosing the same, but such parks shall be under the immediate
care and keeping o f the owners or occupants o f the lots fronting thereon, and
on the same side o f the streets or avenues, who may enter, care for, and use
them fo r such purpose, and in such ways as w ill not injure the grass, trees,
shrubbery, fences, posts, chains and railings upon and inclosing the same, sub­
je ct to such general control and regulations as the Board o f Commissioners
[Public W orks] may from time to time prescribe. [F or present jurisdiction, see
act concerning control o f street parking, below ].
T respassing

on

P ark L and . [D C Comp S tat 1889 s 124 p 179 (3 d L egislative
A ssem bly A ct o f J un e 26, 1873, C 51 p 12 4)]

No person shall w alk over or through any public park or other ground, not
set apart or intended fo r travel by the D istrict o f Columbia, or the proper
branch o f the government thereof, or in any manner trespass thereon, or tres­
pass on any reservation or other land or property o f the United States, within
the said D istrict, or ride through or over the same, or drive or permit to be
driven over or through the same, any animal, animals, or any creature * * * ;
and i f any person or persons shall do any act or thing herein mentioned, or
direct or suffer the same to be done, he, she, or they shall be subject to a
penalty o f not less than five nor more than twenty dollars for each offense, or
for the doing o f any o f the matters or things herein mentioned, or intended to
be prohibited or prevented, to be recovered in the name o f the D istrict o f
Columbia as other fines and penalties against the law o f said D istrict are or may
be recoverable.
C ontrol of S treet P ark in g V ested in th e C ommissioners of t h e D istrict of
C olumbia . [30 Stat L C 543 p 570 (A ct o f J u ly 1, 1898) as amended by 33
S tat L C 89 p 10 (A ct of F eb 2, 1904) and 34 S tat L C 1622 p 112 (A ct of
A p r 14, 1906) ]

The jurisdiction and control o f the street parking in the streets and avenues
o f the D istrict o f Columbia is hereby transferred to and vested in the Commis­
sioners o f the D istrict o f Columbia, [ s i ]
The park system o f the D istrict o f Columbia is hereby placed under the
exclusive charge and control o f the Chief o f Engineers o f the United States
Army, under such regulations as may be prescribed by the President o f the
United States, through the Secretary o f W ar.
The said park system shall be held to com prise:
(a ) All public spaces laid down as reservations on the map o f eighteen hundred
and ninety-four accompanying the annual report fo r eighteen hundred .and
ninety-four o f the officer in charge o f public buildings and grou n d s:
(b ) A ll portions o f the space in the streets and avenues o f the said District,
after the same shall have been set aside by the Commissioners o f the D istrict
o f Columbia for park purposes.
P rovid ed , That no areas less than tw o hundred and fifty square feet betuecu
sidewalk lines shall be included within the said park system, and no inm
3-


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69

F A C I L I T I E S FOE, C H I L D E E U ’ s P L A Y , D IS T R IC T OF C O L U M B I A .

merits shall be made in unimproved public spaces in streets between buildin 0
lines or building lines prolonged until the outlines o f such portions as are to be
improved as parks shall have been laid out by the Commissioners o f the D istrict
o f C olum bia: A n d provided fu rth er, That the Chief o f Engineers is^ authorized
tem porarily to turn over the care o f any o f the parking spaces included in
classes (a ) and (b ) above, to private owners o f adjoining lands under such
regulations as he may prescribe, and w ith the condition that the said private
owners shall pay special assessments for improvements contiguous to such park­
ing; under the same regulations as are or may be prescribed fo r private la n d s.
A n d provided fu rth er, That the Commissioners o f the D istrict o f Columbia are
authorized and directed to denominate portions o f streets in the D istrict o f
Columbia as business streets and to authorize the use, on s ? ch
streets, fo r business purposes by abutting property owners, under s u c h general
regulations as said Commissioners may prescribe, o f so much o f the sidewalk
am ?parking as may not be needed, in the judgm ent o f said Commissioners, by
the general public, under the follow in g conditions, n am ely: First, where m a
portion o f a street not already denominated a business street a m ajority o f a
frontage not less than three blocks in length is occupied and used for business
p a n o s e s ; and, second, where a portion o f a street has already been denominated
£i S
stw et and there exists adjoining such portion a block or more whose
frontaee is occupied and used for business purposes.
This act shall not affect in any manner the provisions in the act o f M arch
third, eighteen hundred and ninety-one, entitled “ An act making appropriations
to supply deficiencies in the appropriations for the fiscal year ending June
thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-one, and for prior years, and for other
purposes,” that no permits for projections beyond the building line on the streets
and avenues o f the city o f W ashington shall be granted except upon special
application and with the concurrence o f all said commissioners and the approval
o f the Secretary o f W a r ; and the operation o f said provision is hereby extended
to the entire D istrict o f Columbia. [ s 3 ]
* A *
W hen in the judgment o f the Commissioners o f the D istrict o f Columbia, the
nublic necessity or convenience requires them to enter upon any o f the spaces
Sr reservations under the jurisdiction o f the Chief o f Engineers fo r the purpose
o f widening the roadw ay o f any street or avenue adjacent thereto or to establish
sidewalks along the same, the Chief o f Engineers, w ith the approval o f the
Secretary o f W ar, is authorized to grant the necessary permission upon the
application o f the commissioners, [s 4]
^
^
W hen in accordance with law or mutual legal agreement, spaces or portions
o f public land are transferred from the jurisdiction o f the Chief o f Engineers
o f the United States Army, as established by this act to that o f the Commis­
sioners o f the D istrict o f Columbia, or vice versa, the letters exchanged between
them o f transfer and acceptance shall be sufficient authority for the necessary
change in the official maps and for record when necessary, [s 5]
,
The said Chief o f Engineers and the said commissioners are hereby authorized
to make all needful rules and regulations fo r the government and proper care
o f all the public grounds placed by this act under their respective charge and
co n tro l; and to annex to such rules and regulations such reasonable penalties as
w ill secure their enforcement, [s 6 ]
C a b e o f S i d e w a l k s , E t c . A b o u n d P u b l ic G b o u n d s .
( A c t of M a e 4, 1909)]

[35 S t a t L C 299

p

994

The application o f the rules and regulations heretofore prescribed or that may
be hereafter prescribed by the Chief o f Engineers, United States Army, under
the authority granted by section six o f an act o f Congress approved July fi:ret,
eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, for the government and proper care of! a 1
S i c grounds placed by that act under the charge and control o f the said
C hief o f Engineers, is hereby extended to cover the sidewalks around the Public
grounds and the carriageways o f such streets as lie between and separate the
said public grounds.
J ubisdiction OF C h i e f

of

E ngineebs^ [ 3 2 S t a t L C 594

p

152 ( A c t

of

A pe 28.,

The Chief o f Engineers shall have charge o f the public buildings and grounds
in the D istrict o f Columbia, under such regulations as may be prescribed by the
President, through the W ar Department, except those bu ild in gs. and grounds
which are otherwise provided fo r by la w ; * * *•


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

70
U se

FACILITIES FOE CHILDREN’ s PLAY, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
op

P ublic L and

[32 S t a t L C 1007 p 1199. (A ct
3, 1903)]

as P l a y g r o u n d s .

of

M ar

The officer in charge o f public buildings and grounds may hereafter authorize
the temporary use o f the Monument Grounds or grounds south o f the Executive
Mansion or other reservations in the D istrict o f Columbia for playgrounds fo r
children and adults, under regulations to be prescribed by him .
E r e c t io n o f B o a t h o u s e s .

[35 S t a t L C 200 s 1 p 355 ( A c t

of

M a y 27, 1908) ]

Licenses may be granted fo r the erection o f boathouses along the banks o f
the tidal reservoir on the Potom ac R iver fronting Potom ac Park, under regula­
tions to be prescribed by the Chief o f Engineers, and all such licenses granted
under this authority shall be revocable, w ithout compensation, by the Secretary
o f W ar.
T e m p o r a r y S t r u c t u r e s o n L a n d U sed a s P l a y g r o u n d s .
p 355 ( A c t o f M a y 27, 1908) ]

[3 5 S t a t L C 200 s 1

The officer in charge o f public buildings and grounds is authorized to grant
licenses, revocable by him w ithout compensation, to erect tem porary structures
upon reservations used as children’s playgrounds, under such regulations as he
may impose.
U se of C a p it o l G r o u n d s.

It shall be the duty o f the Capitol police hereafter to prevent any portion o f
the Capitol Grounds and terraces from being used as playgrounds or otherwise,
so fa r as may be necessary to protect the public property, tu rf and grass from
destruction or injury. [19 Stat L C 86 p 41 (act o f Apr 29, 1876) ]
Public travel in and occupancy o f the Capitol Grounds shall be restricted to
the roads, walks, and places prepared fo r the purpose by flagging, paving, or
otherwise. [22 Stat L C 258 s 1 p 126 (act o f July 1, 1882) ]
Nothing in the act to regulate the use o f the Capitol Grounds, approved July
first, eighteen hundred and eighty-two, shall be construed to prohibit concerts
on the Capitol Grounds at times when neither House o f Congress is sitting by
any band in the service o f the United States under the direction o f the A rchitect
o f the Capitol. [31 Stat L C 791 p 613 (act o f June 6, 1900) ]
N a t i o n a l Z o o l o g ic a l P a r k a n d R o c k C r e e k P a r k .

The National Zoological Park is hereby placed under the direction o f the re­
gents o f the Smithsonian Institution, who are authorized to * * * adminis­
ter the said Zoological Park for the advancement o f science and the instruction
and recreation o f the people. [26 Stat L C 173 s 2 p 78 (act o f Apr 30, 1890)]
The public park authorized and established by this act [R ock Creek Park]
shall be under the join t control o f the Commissioners o f the D istrict o f Colum­
bia and the Chief o f Engineers o f the United States Army, * * * r26 Stat
L C 1001 s 7 p 495 (act o f Sept 27, 1890) ]
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
U s e a s S o c ia l C e n t e r s , E t c .

[38 S t a t L C 165

p

1190 ( A ct

of

M ar . 4, 1915)]

The control o f the public schools in the D istrict o f Columbia by the board o f
education shall extend to, include, and comprise the use o f the public school
buildings and grounds by pupils o f the public schools, other children and
adults, for supplementary educational purposes, civic meetings for the free
discussion o f public questions, social centers, centers o f recreation, play­
grounds. The privilege o f using said buildings and grounds fo r any o f said
purposes may be granted by the board upon such terms and conditions and
under such rules and regulations as the board may prescribe, [s 1]
The board o f education is authorized to accept, upon written recommenda­
tion o f the superintendent o f schools, free and voluntary services o f the teachers
o f the public schools, other educators, lecturers, and social w orkers and public
officers o f the United States and the D istrict o f Colum bia: P rovid ed , That
teachers o f the public schools shall not be required or compelled to perform any


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F A C I L I T I E S F O R C H I L D R E N ’ S P L A Y , D IS T R IC T O F C O L U M B I A .

71

such services or solicited to make any contribution for such purposes : Provided
further, That the public school buildings and grounds o f the D istrict o f Colum­
bia shall be used for no purpose whatsoever other than those directly connected
w ith the public school system and as further provided fo r in this Act. [s 2]
LICENSING OF COMMERCIAL RECREATION.

L icense T a x e s .

[32 S t a t L C 1352 s 7 p 622 ( A c t of Ju l y 1, 1902)
33 S t a t L C 1815 p 565 ( A c t of A p r 28, 1 9 0 4 )].

as

amended b y

No person shall engage in or carry on any business, trade, profession, or
calling in the D istrict o f Columbia for which a license ta x is imposed by the
terms o f this section w ithout having first obtained a license so to do. Applica­
tions for licenses shall be made to the assessor o f the D istrict o f Columbia,
and no license shall be granted until payment fo r the same shall have been
made. * * * [par 1]
W hen more than one business, trade, profession, or calling fo r which a
license is herein prescribed shall be carried, on by the same person, the license
tax shall be paid for each such business, trade, profession, or calling : Provided,
That licenses issued under any o f the provisions o f this act shall be good only
fo r the location designated thereon, and no license shall, be issued for more
than one place o f business, profession, or calling, w ithout the payment o f a
separate tax for each : Provided further, That no license shall be granted under
the provisions o f this section, relating to hotels and theaters, until the inspector
o f buildings and the chief officer p f the fire department have certified in w rit­
ing to the assessor that the applicant fo r license has complied w ith the laws
enacted and the regulations made and promulgated for the protection o f life
and property, [par 2]
No person shall set up, operate, or conduct any business or device by or in
w hich any person, animal, or living object shall act or be exposed as a target
fo r any ball, projectile, missile, or thing thrown or projected, for or in con­
sideration o f profit or gain, directly or indirectly, [par 6]
Owners, lessees, or managers o f theaters having a stage and movable scenery
used for the purpose o f acting, perform ing, or playing any play, farce, inter­
lude, opera, or other theatrical or dram atic perform ance, or any scene, section,
or portion o f any play, farce, burlesque, or drama o f any description, fo r gain,
shall pay a license tax o f one hundred dollars per annum : Provided, That
licenses may be granted for theatrical perform ances for one week on the pay­
ment o f twenty dollars, and for less than one week on the payment o f ten
dollars : And provided further, That the proprietors o f buildings, other than
theaters, where exhibitions, lectures, or entertainments o f any description are
conducted fo r gain shall pay a license tax o f one hundred dollars per annum ;
or for lesser periods as follow s : Three dollars çe r day, or ten dollars fo r the
first week, and five dollars fo r each subsequent consecutive w eek : And pro­
vided further, That fo r entertainments, concerts, or perform ances o f any kind
given in church premises or private residences where the proceeds are intended
fo r church or charitable purposes, and where no rental is charged, no license
ta x shall be required, [par 20]
E very person who exhibits paintings, pictures, or w orks o f art, or makes
industrial, mechanical, agricultural, food, or floral exhibitions, including cattle
and poultry shows, freaks and museum attractions, side shows, and all other
la w fu l exhibitions not otherwise provided for, shall pay a license tax o f three
dollars per day, .or ten dollars fo r the first week and five dollars additional
for each subsequent consecutive week, and for an annual license the tax shall
be one hundred dollars, [par 21]
Persons conducting concerts, entertainments, or balls to w hich an admission
fee is charged, directly or indirectly, shall pay a license tax o f three dollars
fo r each day or night, [par 22]
Proprietors or owners o f any circus shall pay a license tax o f tw o hundred
dollars per day. [par 23]
Owners or lessees o f grounds used fo r horse racing, tournaments, athletic
sports, baseball, football, polo, golf, and kindred games, or where feats o f
horsemanship are perform ed, to which admission fees are charged, or which
are used for profit or gain, directly or indirectly, shall pay a license tax o f
tw enty dollars per week or five dollars per day. [par 24]
Owners or lessees o f grounds or premises used for picnics or lawn fêtes,
or resorts where theatrical or musical attractions or other amusements are pre­
sented, to which admission fees are charged or which are used for profit or gain,
directly or indirectly, and which are not taxed under any other paragraph o f


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/
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72

FACILITIES FOE CHILDREN ’s PLAY, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

this section, shall pay a license tax o f three dollars per day or ten dollars pc *
week and five dollars additional for each subsequent consecutive week or
an annual license a tax o f one hundred dollars, [par 25]
Owners or lessees o f buildings used for skating rinks, fairs, carnivals t amusements not otherwise provided for in this section shall pay a license xx
o f three dollars per day, or ten dollars fo r the first week and five dollars addi­
tional fo r each subsequent consecutive weekr or for an annual license a tax o f
one hundred dollars, [par 26]
Owners or lessees o f shooting galleries, fencing schools, public gymnasiums
places where firearms o f any description are used, or schools where the art o f
self-defense is taught shall pay a license tax o f tw elve dollars per an n um :
P rovid ed , That no place o f business or shooting gallery where firearms are to be
used shall be licensed until the inspector o f buildings fo r the D istrict o f Columbia
shall furnish a certificate that suitable precautions have been taken fo r the public
safety by the erection o f iron shields and such appliances as in his judgment
may be necessary: A n d provid ed fu rth er, That before such license shall be
issued the proprietor shall furnish to the assessor o f the D istrict o f Columbia
the written consent o f a m ajority o f the occupants and residents on the same
side o f the square or block in which the proposed gallery is to be located and also
on the confronting side o f the square fronting opposite to the same. The m ajor
and superintendent o f police is hereby authorized to prescribe the caliber o f
firearms and kind o f cartridges to be used in such licensed places, [par 27]
Proprietors or owners o f apparatus or machines known as merry-go-rounds
flying horses, or sim ilar devices fo r amusement shall pay a license tax o f twelve
dollars fo r the first week and ten dollars for each subsequent consecutive week
or three dollars per d ie m : P rovid ed , That license therefor may be refused in
the discretion o f the Comissioners o f the D istrict o f Columbia, [par 28]
Proprietors or owners o f slot or autom atic machines, so called (telephones
excepted), by w hich objects, pictures, or figures are presented to public view or
musical or vocal exhibitions are autom atically given on the deposit o f money
or metal, or where a pecuniary copsideration is received fo r the use o f said
apparatus or machines, shall pay a h ense tax o f tw o dollars per annum fo r each
machine or apparatu s: P rovid ed , That on the payment o f a license tax o f fifty
dollars per annum the number o f machines at any one location shall not be
lim ited : A n d provided fu rth er, That no license shall be issued fo r less than tw o
dollars, [par 29]
Keepers o f billiard, bagatelle, jenny lind, and pool tables, shuffleboards, or
any table upon w hich legitimate games are played within the D istrict o f Colum­
bia fo r public use, or fo r profit or gain, shall continue to pay to the collector o f
taxes o f the D istrict o f Columbia twelve dollars per annum license for each
table and be subject to the provisions o f the act o f Congress approved February
twenty-five, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven, entitled “ An act to license bil­
liard and pool tables in the D istrict o f Columbia, and fo r other purposes ”
H ereafter proprietors o f bow ling alleys in the D istrict o f Columbia shall pay to
the collector o f taxes o f said district an annual license tax o f twelve dollars for
each alley, [par 45]
[F or provisions concerning fire escapes, see 34 Stat L C 957 p 70 (act o f
M ar 19, 1906) as amended by C 2566 p 1247 (act o f Mar 2, 1907)]
R e v o c a t io n o f L ic e n s e s .

[31 S t a t L J o in t R e s o l u t io n N o 13 p 1463 ( A c t
M ab 1,1901)]

of

Any license issued by the assessor o f the D istrict o f Columbia to the proprietor
o f a theater or other public place o f amusement in the D istrict o f Columbia
may be terminated by the Commissioners o f the D istrict o f Columbia whenever
it shall appear to them that, after due notice, the person holding such license
shall have failed to comply with such regulations as may be prescribed bv the
said commissioners fo r the public decency.

o


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