New Ravens-Themed Playground Breaks Ground In Owings Mills

OWINGS MILLS, MD — County leaders joined Baltimore Ravens representatives Friday morning in Owings Mills to break ground on a new playground. It will be the first "destination playground" for the area, according to county officials.

Once it is complete, the playground will include an artificial turf 40-yard dash, custom climbing structures, a wheelchair-accessible rubberized surface and a timed obstacle course as well as musical elements and slide over 17 feet tall.

The Ravens provided a $500,000 donation toward the Ravens-themed playground, a project that also gained state and county funding. It was part of the NFL Play 60 program, through which the league aims to promote health and wellness among youths by encouraging 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

"It is critical that we continue to identify opportunities that positively impact the well-being of children in our communities,” Ravens President Dick Cass said in a statement. "We are honored to be involved with this meaningful project, knowing it will provide a safe and unique space for children and their families to enjoy."

Baltimore Ravens mascot Poe was among those in attendance for the groundbreaking at Northwest Regional Park.

Baltimore County is contributing $150,000 for the playground, which will also receive $350,000 from Program Open Space and $152,000 from the Department of Natural Resources' Community Parks and Playgrounds Program.

“Access to high-quality and safe recreational facilities is important for members of all communities, and this new destination playground promises to bring years of joy to children all over the region,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said in a statement. “I am incredibly grateful to the Ravens organization for its generosity in supporting this project and the children of Baltimore County.”

The destination playground will be built by PlayPower, and county officials say they expect it will be finished in early fall.

“I look forward to the joy, well-being, and physical fitness the playground will bring to people of all ages, especially children," Baltimore County Council Chairman Julian Jones said in a statement following the groundbreaking. "I am confident that this playground will be an exciting and enjoyable destination for everyone in Baltimore County and surrounding areas.”

Baltimore County acquired the land for Northwest Regional Park in 1997 and finished the first phase of development in 2002, officials said. Spanning nearly 323 acres, it features a community garden, three lighted athletic fields, four baseball diamonds and three pavilions.

Northwest Regional Park is at 4515 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117.