(Feb. 16, 2017) The Berlin Parks Commission discussed the following items during a meeting at town hall on Jan. 31.
Events
Plans are taking shape for a number of 2017 events that are supported by the parks commission.
Six Outdoor Movie Nights are scheduled to run on June 17, July 1, July 15, July 29, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26. The first and last showings will be held on Main Street, while the middle four will alternate between Stephen Decatur Park and William Henry Park. The commission is soliciting suggestions for screenings on Facebook.
Additionally, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will screen on Oct. 21. The series, now in its third year, is run in conjunction with the Berlin Arts & Entertainment Committee.
Dates for the spring and fall Just Walk event will be May 6 and Nov. 11, respectively. A suggestion was made to host the spring event downtown and the fall event at Stephen Decatur Park. Generally, one, two and three-mile courses are offered, along with free health screenings from the Worcester County Health Department.
Project updates
The Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Committee have awarded the town a $1,500 grant to purchase trees. That amount is the maximum allowed under the grant, and the check will go directly to the Worcester County Forestry Board, where the money will then be credited to the town.
Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen said the town was making a second attempt to go forward with installing prefabricated bathrooms at William Henry Park. Two bids were initially received and staff selected a winning bidder, but an error by the vendor was later discovered that caused the process to start again.
Ironically, the same bidder won the second round, although that estimate came in slightly over the project’s budget. Bohlen said that was a surmountable problem and that grant money could still cover the entire cost, as originally planned.
Surveys were sent to residents near Henry Park in order to gauge interest – or objections – to installing lights on the basketball courts there. Out of 52 surveys sent, 10 were received. Nine of those were in favor of the lights. Bohlen said the town council would likely address that project next.
Events
Plans are taking shape for a number of 2017 events that are supported by the parks commission.
Six Outdoor Movie Nights are scheduled to run on June 17, July 1, July 15, July 29, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26. The first and last showings will be held on Main Street, while the middle four will alternate between Stephen Decatur Park and William Henry Park. The commission is soliciting suggestions for screenings on Facebook.
Additionally, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will screen on Oct. 21. The series, now in its third year, is run in conjunction with the Berlin Arts & Entertainment Committee.
Dates for the spring and fall Just Walk event will be May 6 and Nov. 11, respectively. A suggestion was made to host the spring event downtown and the fall event at Stephen Decatur Park. Generally, one, two and three-mile courses are offered, along with free health screenings from the Worcester County Health Department.
Project updates
The Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Committee have awarded the town a $1,500 grant to purchase trees. That amount is the maximum allowed under the grant, and the check will go directly to the Worcester County Forestry Board, where the money will then be credited to the town.
Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen said the town was making a second attempt to go forward with installing prefabricated bathrooms at William Henry Park. Two bids were initially received and staff selected a winning bidder, but an error by the vendor was later discovered that caused the process to start again.
Ironically, the same bidder won the second round, although that estimate came in slightly over the project’s budget. Bohlen said that was a surmountable problem and that grant money could still cover the entire cost, as originally planned.
Surveys were sent to residents near Henry Park in order to gauge interest – or objections – to installing lights on the basketball courts there. Out of 52 surveys sent, 10 were received. Nine of those were in favor of the lights. Bohlen said the town council would likely address that project next.