Summer's arrival this past week makes one think of summer activities, and it strikes us that it was 61 years ago today — June 26, 1950 — that was the official opening day for Westminster's first playgrounds, according to newspaper articles of the past.
"The main playground will be open from 9 a.m., until 9 p.m., Monday through Friday and will be adequately staffed each hour of the day," according to an article in The Times of Westminster on June 29, 1950.
"Westminster And The Recreation Problem" is a persistent theme in old Carroll County newspapers. As a matter of fact, that was the headline of an editorial in the April 7, 1922, edition of the now-defunct Democratic Advocate.
"Our fathers did not have recreational centers. Why should we have them now?" asked the editorial. "We cannot do business as our fathers did. Can we take our recreation as they did?"
In January 1913, the same newspaper reported that the Woman's Civic League was started, in part, to advocate for additional recreation opportunities in the city:
"On January 20, nearly 200 women met in the Westminster Firemen's Hall and formed the Woman's Civic League. ... In addition to looking after the general needs of women, the League also sought to improve local living conditions.
"Standing committees were formed with the following purposes: a playground for children, prevention of certain kinds of moving pictures, sanitation of Westminster, prevention of cruelty to animals and the encouragement of growing flowers by young people.
A year later, the organization had added committees for "amusement, fly control, expectoration, old paper, social services and forestry."
I'm afraid to research more particulars about the committee on "expectoration."
On March 26, 1898, the now out-of-print American Sentinel, reported "The Bicycle Club recently organized (to provide more recreation) in this city, met … in the Wantz building. ... The club now has 50 members and is in a flourishing condition."
The Carroll County Times carried article on Jan. 26, 1961, "County Recreation Needs Discussed By Social Agencies."
"The need for organized recreation in Westminster and Carroll County was stressed by leaders of welfare agencies, civic organizations, Board of Education, and other groups at a recent meeting of the Carroll County Council of Social Agencies."
"President Stanley Hamilton Jr. read a letter from City Clerk John Eckard, which pointed out that the City of Westminster maintains two parks and provides a seven-week recreation program for 500 children in the summer."
In the summer 1983 edition of Westminster Past Times, is an article, "Westminster City Playground — Town's Backyard." Written by Tom Doerr, it noted, "The Municipal Playground, tucked between Main and Willis Streets, is one of the delightful spots in the city ..."
More on the 1950 and 1983 articles in the future; right now it is time for me to go out and play.
Meanwhile, maybe Ron Schroers, the Westminster recreation director can fill us in on any future committees on "expectoration."
When he's not on the monkey bars, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com