Angel Park to Open October 31st

Citizens of Perry Hall and of Eastern Baltimore County can be very proud of the way over 4,000 volunteers joined together to make the dream of Angel Park a reality.

Angel Park, a $1.5 million project, which includes a 16,500 square foot playground and a 200- seat amphitheater, was designed by 4,500 children and the professionals at Leathers & Associates. It sits adjacent to the Perry Hall branch of the Baltimore County Public Library on Honeygo Boulevard.

Angel Park was born out of the love and loss of two parents, Kelli and Andy Szczybor (pictured). After a long battle, their 15-month son, Ryan died of leukemia 19 years ago. Wanting to help other people experiencing similar tragedy, the couple started the Ryan Foundation. The plan to build Angel Park was sparked by Kelli and Andy's desire to memorialize their son and represent a vision of an ideal setting for happiness and reflection.

Kelli's parents, Bill and Jackie Hacke, have been long time community leaders in Perry Hall. In fact, this Delegate grew up playing Perry Hall Rec. Council sports, where Bill Hacke, Bill Paulshock, Paul Amirault, and many others volunteered their time as referees. I mention this because thirty years later, these are the same people who made Angel Park a reality. All of those volunteers mentioned above played an integral part in Angel Park. I have no doubt that Kelli would point to her family's history of giving back to Perry Hall as a driving force behind her passion to make this park a reality. I can't think of better role models for Kelli, me, or anyone who grew up in Perry Hall. I want to make sure that their decades of service to our community is recognized and applauded.

To say that Angel park is unique would be an understatement. I think what makes people most proud is the fact that this park will be all-accessible. That means, children with disabilities finally have a park to call their own. It will indeed be accessible for children of all ages and abilities. For children with cochlear implants for instance, there are sliding boards that do not make irritating scratching noises. There is a Braille panel for children with impaired vision, zip lines designed specifically for children with special needs, and a bridge to accommodate wheelchairs. For autistic children, there will be private quiet spaces when they need to regroup and get away from the clatter, a feature that will hopefully help even more children enjoy Angel Park.

Over the last several years, donations for Angel Park poured in. Baltimore County Savings Bank gave $80,000. Two anonymous donations totaled $250,000. The County gave a $250,000 grant to help construct the Park. Donations were raised through golf tournaments, bull roasts, raffles, and cake sales just to name a few.

I am particularly proud to have been part of the effort to secure passage of HB 1147 in 2015, which authorized the issuance of general obligation bonds to provide a state grant of $200,000 for the construction of Angel Park. That legislation, like the organization which built the park, was truly non-partisan. The bill passed the entire legislature unanimously, with sponsorship from Democrats and Republicans.

I hope the residents of the 8th District will attend the opening of Angel Park on October 31st. Angel Park began as a dream and became a reality because a community came together to make it happen. It is by far the most amazing example of volunteerism that I have seen in my 39 years as a Perry Hall resident. We should all be proud, and now we are all invited to celebrate the accomplishments of Kelly, Andy and the entire Angel Park organization on October 31st.

For more information, visit Angel Park’s Facebook page, or go to www.angel-park.org.