Gyro International Explained

Gyro International is a non-profit social, service, and fraternal club for men located in the United States, Canada and Japan. Gyro was founded by Paul Schwan, Clarence (Gus) Handerson, and Edmund (Ed) Kagy, three college friends, in April 1912 in Cleveland, Ohio. The primary purpose of the club is the promotion of fun and friendship amongst men of all nations.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}

The first formal meeting was held on June 24, 1912, during which a constitution was presented and accepted, even though the club had no official name at the time. On January 7, 1913 the name Gyro (suggested by new member Jimmie Hubbell) was adopted. It was drawn from the word gyroscope, symbolizing the ability to maintain a desired course and attitude regardless of outside influences.

Playground movement

In Canada during the first half the twentieth century, Gyro clubs were notable patrons of playgrounds, along with other service clubs like the Kinsmen and the Kiwanis.

Gyro parks are found in the Province of Alberta in the cities of Calgary, Edmonton,^{[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]} and Lethbridge.^{[12] [13]} In the Province of British Columbia Gyro Parks are in the cities of Trail, Saanich (Cadboro Bay), Penticton,^{[14] [15] [16]} Nanaimo,^[17] Victoria,^[18] Port Alberni, Prince George, Nelson, ^[19] and Kelowna.

The International Association of Gyro Clubs convention in Winnipeg from June 21 to 25, 1926 at the Royal Alexandra Hotel in Winnipeg was claimed to be the largest international service club gathering held in Canada.^[20]

The Nanaimo club is still very active with parks and continues to donate money and manpower to build and maintain parks.

See also

• National Playing Fields Association, established 1925, patron of playgrounds in the United Kingdom

Notes and References

1. News: 1939-10-07. Gyro International in Session. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-08-20. 0362-4331.
2. Web site: 2021-04-11. Victoria Gyro Club celebrates 100 years of friendship, building community. 2021-08-20. Goldstream News Gazette. en-US.
3. News: 1942-06-28. Gyro International Elects. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-08-20. 0362-4331.
4. News: 1943-07-12. New Yorker Heads Gyro Clubs. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-08-20. 0362-4331.
5. Web site: Gyro International UIA Yearbook Profile Union of International Associations. 2021-08-20. Union of International Associations.
6. Retamales . Paulina C. . Gyro Club Playgrounds and Children's Recreation in Edmonton, Alberta: Outdoor Play, Civic Life, and Urban Reform, 1922-1950 . 2013 . 10.7939/R3SD6D .
7. Retamales . Paulina Cecilia . Reichwein . PearlAnn . 'A Healthy and Contented Band': The Gyro Club and Playgrounds in Edmonton Urban Reform, 1921-1944 . Sport History Review . November 2014 . 45 . 2 . 96–122 . 10.1123/shr.2014-0026 .
8. Web site: Fort Edmonton Park. 2021-08-20. www.ftedmontonpark.com.
9. Web site: Gyro Park & Plyground . 2021-08-20. Fort Edmonton Park.
10. Web site: GYRO CLUB OF SHERWOOD PARK A Gyro International Member Club. 2021-08-20. en-CA.
11. Web site: The Playground Movement – Edmonton's Gyro Playgrounds. 2011-01-15 . 2014-11-24 . 2016-03-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160306053123/https://www.fortedmontonpark.ca/1920-street/the-playground-movement-edmontons-gyro-playgrounds/ . dead .
12. Web site: Gyro Park. www.lethbridge.ca. Aug 20, 2021.
13. News: 'It just broke our hearts': Lethbridge dog owners on high alert following attack in Gyro Park . Lucie . Edwardson . CBC News . January 23, 2018.
14. Web site: Gyro Park. 2021-08-20. City of Penticton. en.
15. Web site: Gyro Park Bandshell. 2021-08-20. City of Penticton. January 1936 . en.
16. http://www.penticton.ca/EN/main/community/parks-trails-beaches/parks/gyro-park.html
17. Web site: Nanaimo Gyro Parks | Gyro Club of Nanaimo. Aug 20, 2021.
18. Web site: History Of Victoria Gyro Park – Gyro Club of Victoria. 2021-08-20. en-US.
19. Web site: Gyro Park · Nelson, BC, Canada .
20. Web site: Archives of Manitoba Keystone Archives Descriptive Database. 2021-08-20. pam.minisisinc.com. en.