Program Open Space money from the county given last year helped pay for tennis court renovations at Stephen Decatur Park in Berlin, currently underway. The town, last Monday, approved a priority list for 2018 parks projects and submitted a request for additional Program Open Space funding.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(April 5, 2018) The Town of Berlin last Monday unanimously approved a parks priority list that included a funding request from Worcester County’s portion of Program Open Space funding.

The total price tag is $303,450, spread out over five projects. Program Open Space operates under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and grants are provided both directly to municipalities from the state, and from the state through individual counties.

Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen said the county funding program works differently than other grants, in that state money is given directly to the counties and “the counties have a choice as to whether or not to keep all of that money or allocate portions of it to the municipalities.”

Bohlen said the town received funding from the county for many years, but that stopped until recently. Then, last year, the county approved $20,000 in Program Open Space funding to renovate the tennis courts at Decatur Park.

“I couldn’t predict at this point whether [funding] will occur again this year, but essentially the list that you have in front of you is … the same list that we’ve been presenting for several years,” Bohlen said.

“A combination of funds, hopefully, will come through again and we’ll be able to make use of that,” she added.

The big-ticket item is the purchase and installation of prefabricated bathrooms at Stephen Decatur Park, totaling $133,450. Also for Decatur Park was a $10,000 request to expand the tot lot, a play area for smaller children.

Additionally, the town is asking for $60,000 to buy and install lights for the basketball courts at Dr. William Henry Park, $55,000 to establish John Howard Burbage Park on William Street, and $45,000 to purchase amenities at Berlin Falls park.

Also during the meeting, Bohlen said renovation work for the tennis courts has started. Public works and town electric staff took down the old fence and contracting work should start soon and finish in mid-to-late June.

Electric Utilities Director Tim Lawrence said his staff is working on installing new lighting for the courts.

“At the end of this, we should have a very nice project,” Bohlen said.

Planning Director Dave Engelhart said finishing touches are being put on the bathrooms at Henry Park. The facility is not yet open to the public.

He said replacement parts were ordered after frozen pipes damaged the attached water fountain and other minor issues were being discussed with the contractor.

“We’re real close,” Engelhart said.