Children's play areas around Howard County MD

Several include historic sites (Children’s Museum in c1812 Quaker school, oldest train station, Enchanted Forest at Clark's), many local farms, indoor activity centers, libraries, and more.

Near Wilde Lake, a tot slide has been incorporated within the ruins of historic Bleak House.

Enchanted Forest - a fairy tale wonderland - now at Clark's Elioak Farm

In August 1955 the Harrison family opened a new concept family park.  A story-book-land.  And it was a success.  It closed in 1989 and luckily, after 2004, many of the buildings and figures were moved to Clark's Elioak Farm, restored and now part of the popular petting farm.

Bleak House - historic home ruin becomes a tot slide

On a hill off the east side of Rain Dream Hill near Wilde lake sits the shell of a stone house - "Bleak House" - once part of "Oakland." The wealthy George Riggs Gaither built the home for his newly married son George (who became a Confederate cavalry officer) and his wife Rebecca Dorsey.  As the home of a confederate, Bleak House was sold during the Civil War in 1863 and the family moved to a safer Baltimore.  During the Depression the home was deserted and was just a few wall fragments by 1960.  The ruins form a creative play space with a slide, a ramp and a few levels to practice stairs.  A small outbuilding, probably the dairy, is beyond the slide in the photo to the left.