0522HarfordSpring22 - Flipbook - Page 39
Left: Cathy Szydlowski, of Bel Air, gives her
grandson, Elliott Warner, 4, a push in a swing
at Lyn Stacie Getz Creative Playground. The
swing Elliott is in is built to hold an adult
facing a child. The playground was partially
designed by children.
Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Park in Havre de Grace features a canon on a playground with panels about
Sgt. Hilton, a Black Union Army soldier who carried the flag of the United States during Civil War battles.
Annie’s Playground
864 Smith Lane, Fallston
Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Park
4020 Gravel Hill Road, Havre de Grace
Burley described the mammoth play
paradise, built in 2006 to honor the memory
of Annie Cumpston, who died at the age
of 6, as Harford County’s only “destination
playground.”
It’s easy to understand why this playground
attracts visitors from all over Maryland. It
includes a puppet theater, indoor-outdoor
amphitheater, dragon and elephant slides, a
Whiffle Ball field, memorial garden and picnic
area.
On a recent cool spring day, 4-year-old
Michael Giddings of Bel Air bounced happily
up and down on a preschool version of a
trampoline as he enjoyed one-on-one time
with his mother and away from his new baby
sister.
Hillary Giddings, 32, hoisted her son into
the air and helped him move hand over hand
down a set of triangles suspended from a
crossbeam about 5 feet off the ground. Michael
squealed with delight.
“One more time,” he said.
This pocket-size structure packs an
impressive number of educational activities
into every square inch.
The playground honors Harford County’s
only Medal of Honor recipient, Alfred B.
Hilton, a Black soldier and flag-bearer who
fought for the Union; during the Civil War.
There are historic photographs and the Medal
of Honor citation, but also a replica cannon, a
“find the flag” tactile finger maze, a slide and a
child-sized cutout of a soldier wearing a Union
uniform in which kids can insert their faces.
Hilton was a 21-year-old farmer and free
Black man when he enlisted in the army. Union
Army Gen. Benjamin Butler wrote in 1864:
“The bearer of the national colors, when the
color-sergeant with the regimental standard fell
beside him, seized the standard, and struggled
forward with both colors, until disabled by
a severe wound at the enemy’s inner line …
and when on the ground he showed that
his thoughts were for the colors and not for
himself. He has a special medal for gallantry,
and will have his warrant as first sergeant.”
harfordmagazine.com | SPRING 2022 | 39