OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens donated $500,000 to help build a new destination playground at Northwest Regional Park in Owings Mills.
The new playground will feature a wheelchair accessible rubberized surface, as well as features for children of all ages, including a timed 40-yard dash.
Baltimore County is contributing $350,000 toward the project.
Construction is expected to begin this summer, and be completed by the end of this year.
The new playground is expected to be about an acre and won't replace the existing playground at the park. It will be located south of park’s turf fields, near the Lyons Mill Road entrance.
The existing playground at the park is approximately a tenth of an acre and is nearly 20 years old.
The 322.7 acre Northwest Regional Park has the unique distinction of being home to 1 Winning Drive, the training facility and headquarters of the Baltimore Ravens.
Ravens president Dick Cass said, "The Ravens are proud to support this project, because we believe in creating safe environments for children that not only provide fun experiences, but also keep them active.”
County Council chair Julian Jones said in a statement, "This destination playground will provide years of entertainment, fun, and physical fitness to scores of children.”
He went on to say, "This is just another example of why our Ravens are champions on and off the field.”
House Speaker Adrienne Jones represents the area that encompasses the park.
In a statement she thanked the Ravens organization for the donation and for "their commitment to make Baltimore County a great place to live."
The Ravens donation must be approved by the County Council.
