Full Citation

Title: From Vacant Lot to Playlot: The Chicago Motor Clubs Play Yard Contest and the Provision of Play Spaces

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2008

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Abstract: Responding to a lack of neighborhood play space, in 1948 a group of parents got together to create the Community Tot Lot, a private playlot with membership open to all in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. Although a seemingly isolated incident, across the nation thousands of play yards were being created. The existence of such spaces has been largely hidden from historians, much as they are tucked away from the general notice of passersby. In Chicago it is thanks to a contest run by the Chicago Motor Club that we can document their existence. In 1949 the Community Tot Lot was entered in a contest for the best private play yards. Between 1934 and 1958, the Motor Club held the contest, resulting in more than a hundred entrants over 17 years. The Motor Clubs logic was simple: alarming numbers of children were being killed each year playing in the street: 164 in Cook County in 1933. The solution, as the Motor Club saw it, was to find them better, safer places to play. The private initiative behind the play yards was effectively filling a public need, anticipating a public policy shift in urban park ideology.

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Authors: Dock, Stephanie

Periodical (Full): Chicago Studies Annual

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Volume: 1

Pages:

Data Collections: IPUMS NHGIS

Topics: Land Use/Urban Organization

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