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BFP report focused on passive enhancement

(Sept. 14, 2017) According to recommendation from Conservation Community Consultants, delivered to the Town of Berlin on Monday, Berlin Falls park is best served by drawing out and enhancing what is already there, rather than undertaking a major redevelopment.
But at an estimated price tag of almost $276,000 to do everything recommended by the report appears to be more than just an enhancement.
“That’s if the town funded everything,” Dave Wilson said. “Jim [Rapp, cofounder] and I have 50 years of experience working on similar projects, and have a decent idea of the landscape. We got estimates from people we’ve worked with in the past, and identified possible funding sources and if Berlin’s Public Works department could contribute.”
The report identifies 11 projects ranging in cost from $5,000 to $75,000 and, along with Wilson’s evaluation of funding opportunities and possible town employee involvement, he said the actual cost would be much lower.
“Realistically it’ll cost between $150,000-$180,000 to do everything, but Berlin will do what its constituents want. The goal is to protect the natural assets and draw them out — hopefully the town thinks our ideas are good.”
The costliest proposal that the town would likely have to fund by itself is the addition of a nature playground to give children a centralized play place. Next, the report recommends adding five piers to the park at a cost of $38,500, with a high chance of the town having to foot the bill.
The second-most expensive item in the report is wetland construction, also pinned to a $75,000 price tag, but with a chance the Chesapeake Bay Trust could help fund the project and possible involvement of Public Works could reduce the final price.
Installing floating islands in the ponds is expected to cost $25,000 before other contributions, and the cost to design the restoration is about $30,000, though there is a low probability of that cost making it down to the Berlin taxpayer, according to the report.
Other items include additional trails, tree and meadow planting, installing bird boxes, adding interpretive panels describing local wildlife and marketing.
“We want to keep what people love – nature, ducks and viewing the local shorebirds,” Wilson said.
The report focused on the trails, ponds and woods, without much regard for the old Tyson plant still on site. Rapp said there are a lot of opportunities for that space as well, but that’s a different conversation.
“This is what we’re talking about with regards to the park as it is now – but it’s ready and open now. We’re just suggesting some small improvements,” Rapp said.
The report cost $10,000 to generate.
The council took no direct action on the report during the meeting.