A Great Enterprise : The Last Effort Some parts of
London are splendidly provided with. parks and open spaces, where children can get recreation in the open air. But that is not so in the crowded area between Regent's Park in the north-west, and Victoria Park in the east, where the- garden and site of the old Foundling Hospital provide the only open space with trees and grass for children to play in. Some five years ago the site nearly came into the hands of builders, and would have done so but for a group of persons interested in the welfare of thousands of slum children who live in the neighbourhood, and the timely intervention of Lord Rothermere, with whom help five-eighths of the nine acres have now been acquired. The remainder would probably have already been secured if the economy restrictions had not prevented the local authorities from taking a part in the purchase. It rests with the public now to raise the necessary funds before the end of next July. Hence the final appeal at the Mansion House next Monday, where Mr. Baldwin will be among the speakers. It is no less a sum than 1150,000 which is needed, the southern area having already been bought by Lord Rothermere and the Appeal. Council for 4:289,000, and a further £36,000 contributed by an anonymous donor. The appeal is one which every inhabitant of town and country can under- stand—it concerns a crowded district with many one- room tenements and families of children on the one hand, and grass, trees, flowers, a day nursery, a nursery sChool,- open-air class-rooms, and a swimming bath on the other. Every donor will he getting---vicariously —full value for money in health and safety for the children; who will be playing in a playground instead of.ammig-the wheels of motors. -
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