Broadneck Park Playground Fix Comes After Persistence

Sometimes all it takes is a whistle blower. 

A play with plywood and chains in its place. But county workers recently made a fix to the park, and now the bridge is safe to cross again.

Kara McGuirk-Allison has been spearheading an effort to improve the park with the community group she created, Friends of Broadneck Park. The group works under the umbrella of the Broadneck Area Youth Sports (BAYS).

In an email sent to Friends supporters, McGuirk-Allison thanked the county's Department of Recreation and Parks for fixing the bridge, as well as Councilman Dick Ladd, who helped blow the whistle on the problem.

"I am happy to have an alternative to the previous plywood, plastic fencing, padlocks and chains," McGuirk-Allison said. "Thank you so much Councilman Ladd for making this a safer transition, but we still are going ahead with our fundraising effort, because there is still a lot to get done."

McGuirk-Allison said the fix hasn't changed the Friends' efforts to raise funds for a new park playground. 

"That playground is 22 years old. Its time has come," she said.

The plan is to get new playground equipment that's more suitable for children of ages 2-12. Some younger children can't benefit from the current equipment, McGuirk-Allison said.

A new playground could cost between $50,000-$100,000 and, for that, the community will need to pitch in.

Fundraising efforts like the have already been a hit with locals and more events are planned in 2012, like an upcoming golf tournament in September. 

Ultimately, the work will be paid for by the members of the Broadneck community and gifted to the county, who owns the park property. McGuirk-Allison said she hopes to be able to keep the Friends of Broadneck Park around as a community group to help upkeep the park, and ensure it doesn't fall into disrepair again.

If you're interested in helping to restore the park, McGuirk-Allison said the best place to start right now is visiting and "liking" the Friends' Facebook page.