​Reformers including Charles Hastings, Elizabeth Neufeld, and J.J. Kelso worked to address the housing, public health and social challenges faced by those living in neighbourhoods like The Ward. They wanted the children off the street.  One central program of intervention was the Settlement House movement. The Settlement House, through multiple programs for children and adults, focused on creating a sense of neighbourliness among immigrant communities, and on collective interests. Their programming promoted inclusion and integration of different cultural and religious groups.  Simultaneously they promoted the assimilation of “Anglo-Canadian” personal, residential and social practices (James, 2001).  Alongside social services, language classes, citizenship and cultural activities, Central Neighbourhood House promoted the playground as a space for (directed) collective encounter. It was believed that investing in the neighbourhood children would positively influence newcomer families to adopt “Canadian ways” (Central Neighbourhood House Newsletter, 1913).