Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks
Annapolis, MD- County Executive Steuart Pittman, Director Jessica Leys, and several excited children recently cut the ribbon at Davidsonville Park playground that has been renovated and received accessibility improvements. This is the first in Anne Arundel County Recreation and Park’s Community Park Playground Initiative, with seven to be completed this fall, one in each district. The renovations will later roll out to a total of 25 community park playgrounds all around Anne Arundel County.
Community advocates have been requesting accessibility improvements in the park system. One father shared that the wood chips, lack of ramps and challenging equipment made it impossible for his daughter in a wheelchair to enjoy. Through the Federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act, the department was able to leverage $2 million in grants for these playground renovations that will help promote mental and physical health, and allow more kids of all abilities to enjoy. The renovations will improve accessibility through new rubber surfacing that covers the entire play area, shade structures to cool equipment, and other additions.
Members of Davidsonville Athletic Association (DAA) joined the County Executive, Councilwoman Haire, and Director Leys for District 7’s Davidsonville Park playground ribbon cutting on September 14. The County Executive recognized the DAA for their outstanding partnership with the department and their commitment to youth sports through volunteerism.
“This is just the beginning to our Countywide commitment to make community parks more accessible FOR ALL!” said Director Jessica Leys. Upcoming renovations will also be completed in September and October at Hammonds Park in District 1, Sawmill Creek Park in District 2, Lakeshore Park in District 3, Waterbury Park in District 4, Broadneck Park in District 5, and Bestgate Park in District 6.
