0522HarfordSpring22 - Flipbook - Page 36
FUN
IN THE
SUN
Five playgrounds that
helped county families
endure the pandemic
BY MARY CAROLE MCCAULEY Harford Magazine
PHOTOS BY KIM HAIRSTON
H
arford County playgrounds helped get Cathy
Szydlowski through the pandemic.
The 64-year-old Bel Air resident lives just
down the street from the Lyn Stacie Getz Creative
Playground, which was partly designed by kids. Szydlowski
helps take care of her 4-year-old grandson, who has been
diagnosed with autism.
Young Elliott Wagner doesn’t talk and even if he did, he
wouldn’t understand what a coronavirus is and how one could
wreak havoc with his daily routines. But Elliott’s face lights
up when he is on the swings and engaged in the repetitive,
rhythmic activity that he finds soothing. And when he tumbles
out of the rocking teacup chair, he laughs with delight.
“Elliott’s school kept closing and reopening throughout
the pandemic,” Szydlowski said. “But he loves spending time
outside, so it’s great to have this playground to go to that‘s so
close to our house.”
County residents have access to more than 100 playgrounds
spread out from Edgewood to Darlington. Harford County
alone operates 96 playgrounds covering 4,891 acres, according
to Kathy Burley, director of the Harford County Department of
Parks & Recreation. Other parks are run by the municipalities
36 | SPRING 2022 | harfordmagazine.com