The popular Annie's Playground in Fallston has been closed for repairs since the middle of last week but, aside from a few somewhat inconspicuous roadside signs, little appears to have been done to let the public know.
The playground is supposed to reopen sometime in the middle of this week, a spokesperson for the county said Monday.
A white sign with red lettering was affixed to one of the Annie's Playground directional signs on Connolly Road, just before the turn onto Smith Lane where the playground is located. That seems to be the method of public notification deployed, beyond blocking off the playground entrance itself.
Bob Thomas, chief spokesman for Harford County government, wrote in an e-mail Monday that there was no media release or public service announcement about the closing.
He also wrote that parks and recreation officials informed him the playground will be reopen by the middle of this week – definitely before this coming weekend, he added.
Thomas's e-mail also contained information from parks and recreation's Paul Magness: "We have a contractor who is power washing and staining the playground. We anticipate they will complete the work this week."
The swing areas of the playground already have received a new cover of mulch; that could clearly be seen from the perimeter fence late Sunday morning, typically a busy time for the playground on sunny days.
A number of children and adults were observed walking up to the entrance to the playground Sunday, either from the adjoining parking lot or from the Ma & Pa Trail, which links the playground with Tollgate Road near the Equestrian Center.
Many of the children were clearly disappointed when they saw the orange plastic construction fence and red on white sign at the entrance barring entry. Some were more demonstrative than others.
A few older boys took matters into their own hands and pulled aside the barrier and went into the playground for a few moments, but didn't stay long.
Seeing the barrier, some other youngsters went looking for another way in, but quickly became disinterested and walked away.