Ribbon Cut At All-Access Playground In Tydings Park

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD - The city of Havre de Grace celebrated the grand opening of its new all-access playground over the weekend, an update to the old Tydings Park play area for children.

County Executive Barry Glassman and Mayor Bill Martin helped cut the ribbon off Commerce Street, along with community members; Delegates Glen Glass and Mary Ann Lisanti; City Council President Dave Glenn; and council members Steve Gamatoria, Dave Martin, Jason Robertson and Monica Worrell.

The new playground meets the city's goal of providing an all-access playground that adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. A replica of the Concord Point lighthouse, seven-station play factory, inter-deck step, arch logs, sliding pole, Tic-Tac-Toe, rotating climber, rock-paper-scissors and modern merry-go-round are offered.

“Addressing the needs of all children is not just a hallmark of a 21st century city, it is also emblematic of the compassionate character of our citizens,” Martin said in a statement.

The idea is to position Tydings Park as an attraction for people both inside and outside of the city.

The playground began taking shape in early 2017 and was made possible through grants from both the county and state. Harford County provided $200,000 in funding, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources awarded the city a $264,407 grant through its parks and playgrounds program.

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Before the ribbon cutting on Saturday, a new ADA-compliant water fountain was added, with stations where people and pets can drink and fill up their water bottles. City officials say they plan to put a second fountain in the nearby Concord Point Park in the weeks ahead.

_{Mayor Martin and Deputy Director of Public Works Joe Conaway stand with the new water fountain at Tydings Park. Photo courtesy of the city of Havre de Grace.}

The playground's renaissance was the result of the Tydings Park Commission, which gathered public input and outlined plans for the park's future.

As part of the Tydings Park project, the war memorial and entrance were updated. The city added recycling containers and a Little Free Library. It also expanded parking and sidewalk space on Commerce Street for increased accessibility and safety, city officials said.

Photo courtesy of the city of Havre de Grace.