Popular Bel Air Playground Reopens With Life-Sized Giraffe Silhouettes At Entrance

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Almost life-size giraffe silhouettes mark the entrance to a section of the recently opened Lyn Stacie Getz playground in Bel Air. They accompany the metal giraffe sculpture located off the intersection of Route 24 and West Ring Factory Road, which many people use to identify the playground.

The giraffes also denote the entrance to an ADA accessible ramp that leads up to the new climbing equipment made from composite plastic that is an alternative to wood and lasts longer, according to city officials.

The playground officially opened the end of November after undergoing major renovations to upgrade the equipment and make it more accessible to users. The new section of the playground includes six slides of differing heights, numerous climbing pieces, a carousel, a tree house, chimes and new swings, including a tire swing. New interactive panels include sign language letter and word formations, a Tic-Tac-Toe game and basic English-to-Spanish words and phrases.

People with differing abilities will have an easier time moving around on the new, smooth rubber safety surface, which in most of the play area is light green. In areas where children need to be extra cautious, like directly under a swing, the surface is dark green. In other areas where children should be careful, like around a swing, the surface is light brown.

All the benches around the perimeter of the playground have been replaced, too.

Named after Lyn Stacie Getz who passed away in 1999, part of the playground's renovations were made possible with a personal donation of $50,000 by her parents Alan and Carollee Getz. During the course of five days, volunteers from the community came together to build the playground, which also was funded by Harford County Government and the Emmorton Creative Playground Committee.