“Things are happening here...”: MNCPPC brings recreation to residents at Come Out and Play, Montpelier Park

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“It’s slippery, Grandma,” said a Chris, a young boy, looking nervous as he clung to his grandmother, wobbling to his feet. “It’s the first time he’s been on skates,” said Chris’ grandmother, Jean Daniels. “It’s good for him.” Daniels said that she and her grandchildren go to Montpelier Park in Laurel all the time, but on June 20, they found much more than they expected. Montpelier was host to the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission’s sixth Come Out and Play event, for which MNCPPC staff brings games, sporting equipment, hundreds of roller skates, face painters and even a DJ, to add a little extra excitement to playtime. “We didn’t know anything was going on [today],” said Ucee Igwe of Laurel, who frequents Montpelier often with a group of families from her neighborhood. “I’m excited about it. It means things are happening here… and I see [park] police is here so I’m sure of security.” MNCPPC Youth Services Coordinator Stephen Makle explained that the purpose of Come Out and Play is to bring some of the features of a community recreation center to the outdoor parks, in areas that lack a community center. “We’re filling in some of the gaps there,” he said. Come Out and Play offers excitement not only for children, but their parents as well. Ebony Evans, of Laurel brought her two children to the event, and had some fun of her own. When asked about her favorite feature, she said, “I love the Double Dutch and the hula hoops, they love the skating… I can’t choose.”