Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Playground

On Sept. 26, 2025, Tower Hill officially opened the Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Playground with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The project reimagined and completely renovated the Lower School playground. It was made possible by the generous support of the Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Foundation, Inc., whose philanthropy is honored through the naming of the playground.

“At Tower Hill, we believe that when students go outside to play, far from taking a break from the curriculum, they are in fact engaging in some of the most critical and formative parts of their learning. As they move their bodies and explore, they also practice and receive real time feedback on their growing relational skills, develop newfound confidence by conquering physical challenges, regulate their emotions under the power of the blue sky, and—in the freedom of the space—find the room to imagine new worlds. We are deeply grateful for this transformative gift that will feed the minds and spirits of generations of Tower Hill children,” says Head of School Sarah Baker.

Located at the corner of W. 19th Street and Tower Road, the playground was renovated in the summer of 2025 and was ready for the start of the 2025-2026 school year. The Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Playground, almost a one-acre space, features several new play structures for students to engage in many types of play while remaining safe with a rubber surface underneath. There is an open field for soccer or other sports, a sandbox space and a paved section for basketball, foursquare and games. Significant site work improved the area’s infrastructure, grading and drainage. The visual aesthetics were enhanced with landscaping, a retaining wall and a modified fence.

Physical Education Department Chair Chris Aitken, a member of the planning and design team, says, “Every choice we made was centered around the students’ safety, creativity and happiness. It was important to us that the space reflects what kids really need—a place to explore, imagine and grow.” 

Head of Lower School Amy Bickhart says, “Our students’ and teachers’ reaction to learning of the new playground was one of impassioned enthusiasm. Hearing joyful cheers echo throughout Kullman Commons when the announcement was made shows why this project is so important.”

“Tower Hill is so very grateful to the Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Foundation, Inc. for their transformational gift to create a wonderland for our students. It is a deliberate investment in our students’ health and wellbeing, and it will serve as an outdoor space full of joy, fun and exploration for generations to come!” says Director of Advancement Kristin Mumford. 

The Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Foundation Inc. was established in 2001. Through Rocco and Mary’s leadership, the foundation has funded scholarships, capital campaigns and social programs for deserving people principally in education, religious, and health initiatives for local communities and throughout the US. Rocco, the son of Italian immigrants, began his career in banking and held multiple management positions before starting his own companies, namely Applied Card Systems Inc. and Applied Bank (formerly Cross Country Bank). Rocco’s companies grew to become a top 10 issuer of Visa and MasterCard credit cards nationwide. Additionally, Applied Bank offers consumer and commercial products from its branches located in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Outside of banking, Rocco’s business success continued in several international food product businesses, commercial and residential real estate, and private equity investing. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Rocco is a proud graduate of Salesianum High School and attended the University of Delaware. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business and an honorary degree from Neumann University. Rocco and Mary currently reside in Boca Raton, Florida. They spend their summers in Rehoboth Beach with their 4 (four) children, their spouses, and 12 (twelve) grandchildren.