PRESS STATEMENT: Department of Parks Director on Ayrlawn Park Accident

SILVER SPRING, MD—Sunday afternoon a large tree limb fell on the playground at Ayrlawn Local Park, injuring a small child and adult woman. The fallen limb split a picnic table in two and crushed the merry-go-round on which the child was playing.

A statement by Montgomery County Department of Parks Director Mary Bradford follows:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the two injured park patrons. We are deeply saddened by this accident and are praying for a complete and successful recovery for them both.

“Our tree crews routinely inspect and maintain the trees in our parks. The crews look for evidence of disease in trees and remove diseased trees immediately. This tree showed no evidence of hazard, no evidence of compromised structural integrity, nor any indication of decline.

“Our tree crews are removing the remainder of the tree from the park today, saving the branches which fell from the tree for additional inspection. In order to complete this important work, Ayrlawn Local Park will remain closed for at least the next three days.”

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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866