Children's Playground League records

Collection — Box: 1-2, Volume: 1-3

Identifier: 2019-038

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection documents the activities of the Children's Playground League, a civic organization dedicated to creating a system of playgrounds for the City of Rochester, N. Y. Led by Col. Samuel P. Moulthrop, the organization worked to create up to date, properly staffed playgrounds for the children of Rochester. Materials in the collection date between 1903 and 1913. Materials in the collection include letters, other documents, reports, ledger books and lantern slides.

Dates

Creation: 1903-1913

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Administrative History

in May of 1902, a group of prominent Rochester citizens gathered to create the Children's Playground League. Inspired by Parks Commission President Alexander Lamberton, who advocated for a public playground at Brown Square, the group intended to influence Rochester to provide appropriate play spaces for its young residents. The founders of the group were educational and social reformers who believed that a system of supervised neighborhood playgrounds would benefit the community by providing "wholesome and pleasant recreation" for the city's children, while keeping them from becoming a "nuisance." The organization arose from citizens' frustration with the City government, in that the Board of Education refused to allow the use of schoolyards as playgrounds, while the Common Council refused to grant a permit for the construction of a playground shelter at Brown Square. As a result, the Children's Playground League came into being advocating not just for playgrounds, but for a specific model of playground including adult supervision and structured play.

After a year of organizing, the Children's Playground League adopted a formal constitution on June 26, 1903. Having seen no progress over the past year, the group now formally organized to advocate for the creation of a playground system. Supported by Parks Commissioner Lamberton, the organizing meeting took place in the offices of the Board of Park Commissioners. Through the Playground League's advocacy, not only was the Brown Square playground erected, it was soon expanded to include a wading pool and sand boxes for small children. A second playground soon opened at Washington Grammar School (School 26), at the corner of Clifford Avenue and Thomas Street. This location reflected the influence of Col. Samuel Parker Moulthrop, principal of the school, member of the Playground League Board, and a renowned educator of his time. A third playground opened on Front Street in 1908. The league oversaw these two playgrounds in combination with the Parks Commission. For a short time, around 1908, the school district also joined in the project and cooperated in developing school playgrounds as "social cneters," but this resulted in political troubles and the schools quickly left the partnership.

By 1909, total attendance at the six school and four park playgrounds of the City totalled over 500,000 children. However, the success of the playgrounds only fueled arguments that they should be managed under a single authority. The Playground League, led by Col. Moulthrop, attempted to arrange for such management in the summer of 1913, but the stress of such arrangements led to Moulthrop's resignation. Seeking more satisfactory results, Mayor Edgerton called upon Rowland Haynes, secretary of New York City's Recreation Committee and field orgainzer for the Playgrounds and Recreation Association of America, to recommend a course of action for Rochester. Haynes suggested enlarging the playground system, to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population, while centralizing administration to reduce costs. Such rationalization of operations quickly took place, bringing the need for the Children's Playground League to an end. The organization disbanded in late 1913.

Extent

.4 Cubic Feet (3 volumes, 1 box,1 accordion folder )

.5 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of the records of the Children's Playground League, a citizen's group that promoted and assisted in developing municipal playgrounds in the city of Rochester, N. Y. The contents of the collection date from 1903 to 1913. The records include letters, other documents, reports, ledger books and lantern slides.

Arrangement

This collection consists of 2 boxes and 3 volumes in a single series.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Unclear; recorded in manuscript card catalog without donor information.

Related Materials

The Col. Samuel P. Moulthrop papers (2019.031) consist of the papers of the president of the Children's Playground League.

Bibliography

McKelvey, Blake. "An Historical View of Rochester's Parks and Playgrounds." Rochester History, vol. 11, issue 1 (January 1949). McKelvey, Blake. "Samuel Parker Moulthrop: Devoted Educator and Good Citizen." Rochester History, vol. 19, issue 2 (April 1957).

"Supervision of Playgrounds is One of Posers." Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, June 19, 1913, pages 17.

"A Veteran Reporter," The Origin & Development of Rochester's Park System." Rochester, NY: Union & Advertiser Press, 1908.

"Wants Public to Help Out." Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, June 27, 1903, pages 12.