Maryland: Baltimore builds 100 playgrounds.

Today, children can fly through the air or slide to the ground on 100 safer play areas thanks to a special task force aimed at improving the conditions of Baltimore's parks, school lots and playgrounds.

Mayor Martin O'Malley joined Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, 100 children, non-profit organizations, city officials and the citizens of the city to mark the milestone of the 100th "newly renovated" playground at Druid Hill Park playground on Oct. 6.

"Playgrounds are an essential part of any community," said O'Malley. "That's why it gives us great pride to be able to say that Baltimore's playgrounds are more attractive, much better, more self-contained and safer than ever before."

In 2000, the mayor formed the Playground Task Force, which included representatives from the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Department of Education, the Police Athletic League, Housing and Community Development, the Commission on Disability and several non-profit organizations to study the safety issues and the renovations needs of Baltimore's playgrounds. The mayor asked Recreation and Parks to spearhead the project.

"The goal of the task force was simple," said O'Malley. "Every child in the city of Baltimore will have access to safe playgrounds within the next five years."

The Playground Task Force conducted a survey that found that more than 50 percent of Baltimore's playgrounds needed renovations to meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines and to comply with ADA laws. The city's park and recreation agency responded by replacing or removing old playground equipment throughout the city.

Since 2000, 105 (39 in parks and 66 at elementary schools) playgrounds have been built. The current city budget includes funding for another 28 playgrounds, which will be designed this winter and built in 2006 (18 in parks and 10 in schools).