By Greg Ellison

(May 13, 2021) Berlin native and hoops enthusiast Adrian Bowen is hoping to launch a community project to beautify the basketball courts in Henry Park with an array of bright colors to make the site more appealing for players of all ages.

Bowen, who was accompanied by Carol Rose, presented the proposal to the Berlin Parks Commission last Tuesday.

“I grew up playing basketball there,” he said. “That’s where I pretty much learned the game.”

Bowen said play has fallen off in recent years at the location.

“Nobody’s actually using the basketball court,” he said. “This project will bring it back to life.”

Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen questioned that assertion.

“The courts do get good use,” she said. “Worcester County Recreation has been using them every summer for at least two to three years.”

Based on sentiments from acquaintances and social media posts, Bowen said a larger percentage of ball players are favoring court facilities in Ocean City, Snow Hill, Pocomoke, Showell or Salisbury.

“They don’t get as much use as they used to get,” he said. “Being the father of four kids that love to play basketball, I don’t have time to go as far as Ocean City.”

Chairman Mike Wiley asked if Bowen felt the location was lacking for organized recreation programs.

Bowen said regardless of offerings, many community members are not able to participate financially.

“A lot of the programs that come in aren’t really tailored to the kids that are on Flower Street and Bay Street,” he said. “A lot of those kids can’t afford the programs.”

Committee member Patricia Dufendach asked who would invest sweat equity to complete the proposed painting.

“Would the kids do this?” she said.

Rose said organizers began forming a nonprofit, WE HEART BERLIN, Inc., several months ago to back the effort.

“We felt for a first project this was special,” she said.

Rose said grants are being sought through the Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee and the Worcester County Arts Council.

“We feel they’re interested in the project,” she said. “No taxpayer dollars would be used it would all be grants and donations.”

Rose said renderings of paint patterns have been prepared, which could be presented for approval by the mayor and Town Council.

Bowen has enlisted expert guidance from Shelton Hawkins, who has completed comparable projects in recent years in Easton and Cambridge.

“He teaches art in Charles County,” he said.

Rose said Hawkins, a native of Easton, was given a second concrete canvas after receiving widespread praise for his initial venture.

“In Easton … the town council and mayor were so impressed with how it turned out and how well received it was by the whole community they asked him to refurbish a second court,” she said.

Bohlen asked about long-term maintenance concerns.

Bowen said the custom paint job has an average life span of five to eight years, with Hawkins’ team available if touch-ups were required.

Bohlen said the basketball courts had been rehabbed in the last decade.

“Those courts were completely redone not even 10 years ago,” she said.

Bowen agreed the site is not dilapidated.

“There’s nothing wrong with the courts now — you’re exactly right,” he said.

Regardless, Bowen said the intent is to foster a sense of community connection by having residents assist in the beautification.

“My big things is … when the youths come out there, they’re not attracted to go sit under the pavilion and smoke marijuana, sell drugs and drink alcohol,” he said. “That’s what’s been going on out there for the past few years.”

The hope is that the splash of vibrant colors would spark excitement among hoop players, specifically youths.

“The park had tournaments in there years ago,” he said. “That park is only used for basketball … but we could use that … for other things.”

Bohlen questioned costs, noting the mayor and Town Council would want to know who would foot the bill for upkeep.

“It’s not just a matter of painting it and walking away,” she said. “They have to be professionally sealed so that the paint doesn’t just wear off.”

Rose said Hawkins had explained the process in detail.

“He explained primer would go on and sit 2-3 weeks,” she said.

Regardless of potential costs, Rose said the project would be completed without funding from the Town of Berlin.

“I’m very aware that we have no funds here in town to really do anything that any of our children need,” she said. “Our young people need things in this town.”

Ideally, after the courts paint scheme was revamped, further funding efforts would be launched to pay for future maintenance, Rose said.

The Parks Commission voted unanimously to support the proposal.

Bohlen said when Bowen and Rose are ready, the proposal would be scheduled for a mayor and Town Council meeting.