344 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF EDUCATION. 
them, which, as far as the experience of the writer goes, is not usually the 
case with those on this side of the Atlantic. Public playgrounds may 
have been constructed in the more crowded portions of American cities 
since my visit in 1889, when, as chairman of the Parks Committee of the 
London County Council, I drew up a report, for the use of the committee, 
om the public open spaces of America; but at that time the only play- 
oround of which I heard, outside those attached to parks. was one at 
Boston. 
The usefulness of these institutions cannot be doubted by anyone who 
nas once seen such grounds crowded with children thoroughly enjoying 
-hemselves, and unconsciously strengthening their limbs and constitutions 
by games and gymnastic exercises performed under the open canopy of 
heaven. The London County Council and the Corporation of the City of 
London have been so convinced of the benefit which these playgrounds are 
:0 the rising generation, that they have not only taken over several origin- 
illy made and temporarily maintained by the Metropolitan Public Gardens 
Association, but have constructed and enlarged others in the parks under 
their control. Open-air gymnasia, in addition to those scattered about 
the metropolis, are now to be found in the following London parks : 
For Boys under Ten 
flor Men. Years of Age, and 
for Girls 
Victoria Park............ .... 
Battersea Park ........... 
Ravenscourt Park. .......... «. cites. 
Brockwell Park. ... 
Jlissold Park . o.oo iiiiiiiii iia iiennnnn 
Wapping Recreation Ground .............. 
vauxhall Park ...... Rene 
Southwark Park. ... 
Myatt’s Fields... .. 
Finsbury Park..... 
Kennington Park ... 
5 
.1 boys only 
and 
girls only. 
{t is only in the royal parks of London that no public gymnasia are as 
yet to be found. Years ago I remember to have seen them in Manchester 
and Salford. I believe there are now many in the towns of Great Britain. 
One of the first open-air playgrounds ever constructed was at Manchester ; 
it was made and maintained by Messrs. Armitage for the use of their 
work-people. Following their example, some years ago I constructed two 
for the use of the tenants on my property in the city of Dublin. The 
largest is divided by a railing into two portions, one for boys and the 
other for girls. It contains a giant stride, climbing mast, horizontal and 
parallel bars, swings, jumping board and cat gallows, skittle ground, 
* Only one gymnasium, but separate hours for women and girls.