By Greg Ellison

(March 24, 2022) Town of Berlin officials’ goal of converting an eyesore in to an educational attraction for youth — while promoting its Bee City designation — is coming to fruition after being awarded a $5,000 grant through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program.

Clean Up & Green Up Maryland grants, which are intended for volunteer organizations, communities and land trusts, help finance environmental educational projects that protect natural resources.

Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said the town applied last fall for grants to spruce up the alley between Gilbert’s Provisions at 116 N. Main St. and Island Creamery at 120 N. Main Street.

“We’re trying to do an entire project to help solve some of the problems we’ve experienced in that alley,” she said.

Image courtesy Ivy Wells
Early rendering for a section of “Pollinator Way” proposed for the alleyway next to Island Creamery on Main Street that is moving forward after the Town of Berlin was awarded a Clean Up & Green Up Maryland grant last week.

Project plans include installing bio-retention gardens to help alleviate flooding.

“’Pollinator Way’ is what we’re calling it,” she said.

Additional funds from the Maryland State Arts Council are earmarked to finance an interactive sidewalk mural.

“It’s a fun kids sidewalk mural,” she said. “Start at Main Street and directions on the mural tells them to ‘flap your arms like a bee and spin around like a butterfly.’”

Wells said the aim is to entertain youngsters while also imparting knowledge.

“The line for Island Creamery is always super long in the summertime,” she said. “It gives kids something fun to do and learn while they’re waiting in line for ice cream.”

Mural artist Jess Hall, with Happy Now Creations, is on board to transform the sidewalk into a colorful pathway.

“She’s going to paint this on the sidewalk leading from Main Street all the way to the back of the building,” she said.

The bio-retention gardens are intended to handle condensation runoff from a pair of rooftop AC units that often leave a slimy mess in the alley.

Building owner Troy Purnell previously granted permission for the alley project.

Award recipients were notified on March 20, which is designated as Keep Maryland Beautiful Day. Funds are distributed by April 15 and intended to be used through Feb. 28, 2023.

Wells said the grant award would also help purchase re-useable bags to be given away at the Berlin Welcome Center.

“It also helps with the flooding issues in a fun way,” she said. “The alley isn’t very attractive in its current state and we want to improve that.”