Opening of Boston Sand Garden

IN 1885 an outdoor play center for children was established in the city of Boston. A large sand pile was placed in the yard of a children's mission through the efforts of the state Emergency and Hygiene Association. Each day an average of fifteen children came to play. They dug in the sand, sang songs, and marched about under the guidance of a woman who lived in the neighborhood. The area around the sand pile was open three days per week for six weeks during the months of July and August.

The Boston Sand Garden served as a forerunner of all playgrounds in America. By 1887, nine other sand gardens had opened in Boston. In addition, the first Boston Sand Garden had a direct influence upon the establishment of sand gardens (playgrounds) in other cities.

The experiment in Boston proved to be a forecast of the course the recreation movement would follow across the country. As a result of the Boston experiment, several developments occurred which have been characteristic of the growth of the recreation movement. Among these are the following: recreation has moved from private to public management, financial support, and areas; from untrained to trained leaders; and from providing play opportunities only for young children to providing for people of all ages.