The formal opening of the Follansbee Playgrounds took place last Saturday. The parade headed by the Citizens Band and Drum Corps opened the ceremonies involving several hundred people of all ages. All events were the efforts of the Follansbee Playgrounds Association and the Women’s Civic Club. The children’s parade was formed at 2 o’clock at the Mahan school on the corner of Main and State streets. Headed by the Follansbee band, the parade moved up Main street to Allegheny and on Allegheny to Jefferson and the playgrounds adjoining the Jefferson school. The band gave a concert and at 2:30 a large American flag was raised to the top of the flagpole while the crowd sang the national hymn “America.”   L. A. Diller, president of the Playgrounds Association, addressed the people telling why the playgrounds were installed by citizens interested in healthy, happy children and good citizenship. Before playgrounds were available, children  played in the streets, in garbage dumps, and vacant lots.

• Mill Town Review, “Parade to Inaugurate Opening of Playgrounds,” June 11, 1915, front page.