In Europe almost every city has its facilities for recreation, be it in public playgrounds, public baths, military concerts, or the many other pas times that local needs may suggest. In Ger many the policy of the city and of the govern• ment is to encourage the spirit of outdoor life. Facilities have been provided in the cities on a scientific basis. Figuring on the average size of the German family, it has been estimated that of a population of 100,000, the number of children is from 12,000 to 15,000, and for each thousand of these there should be provided from 30 to 40 acres for recreation purposes. Such plans in effect have been carried out iti many cities. Playgrounds have been provided near the centres of congestion. A great propor tion of these are located in connection with the public schools, and their control is vested in the teachers, who direct the outdoor exercises of their pupils as a part of the curriculum. As a rule, the children using the playgrounds are divided into groups, each of which has the freedom of the grounds twice a week, Sundays being reserved for students of the apprentice schools. These grounds in connection with the schools are suitably provided with the usual athletic and gymnasium equipment Modern ideas of recreation have taken firm hold in France to a great extent, but the French have never been accustomed to outdoor games to the same extent as the English or Americans. Taking Paris as an example, there are many large and small parks and squares where the inhabitants are accustomed to congregate and listen to martial music, but athletics are never of the violent sort. However, in connection with
the public school system, in which education is compulsory, gymnastic and outdoor exercise and games are required. In some of the modern and model schools, grounds are fitted out with the most modern equipment with .competent in struction. The city has, however, a wonderful system of attractions that further the cause of recreation. The beautiful series of boulevards leading to the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes is an incentive to the inhabitants to walk a great deal, and in the evenings, on Sun days and holidays these two parks are thronged with families that have gone there to spend the day, or even further, to Versailles or Saint Germain, two magnificent pafks at some dis tance from the city. The city has one particu lar attraction — its numerous small steamboats on the Seine. For a few sous they will carry one far without the city limits to the country, where there are many spots that are the picnic grounds of the Parisians. Within the city are the Gardens of the Tuileries, the great chil dren? playground. See also BATHS, Plisuc; PARKS, PUBLIC.
Bibliography.— Curtis, Henry S., 'Educa tion through Play' (New York 1916); contains Boston bibliographies; id., (Play and Recreation' Boston 1914); Playground Association of America Publications and Yearbooks furnish complete details of the movement in America and in foreign countries (New York) ; Perry, C. A., 'Educational Extension' (Cleveland, 0., 1916) ; Parks and Playgrounds Association, 'Statement Relating to Recreation in Greater New York' (New York 1910); Sperling, H., 'The Playground Book.'