By Greg Ellison

(April 14, 2022) Berlin Parks Commission members previewed a series of upcoming seasonal events last week, starting with the “Spring Celebration” this Saturday and closing with “Clean-Up Day” on April 23.

Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said the downtown  area would be enlivened by Saturday’s Spring Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Family-friendly activities include crafts, games and face painting.

“The weather always plays a big part,” she said. “Who knows what it will be? It could be 80 degrees; it could be 50.”

Other highlights include an “Easter Bonnet Parade” at 4 p.m. and an “Egg Hunt” on the Taylor House Museum lawn starting at 1 p.m.

The Saturday extravaganza is sponsored by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce.

Parks Commission member Bruce Hyder quipped that windy conditions are possible, as Bohlen concurred that the event was cancelled previously due to heavy gusts.

Bohlen said the opening shot of the weeklong slate would also serve to promote the Clean-Up gathering on April 23.

“We will hand out flyers,” she said.

Clean-Up Berlin Day closes out the eighth annual “Take Pride in Berlin Week” that begins this Sunday.

Take Pride week opens with a scavenger hunt that starts on Sunday.

The “Berlin History Hunt” will provide a reason to explore the downtown vicinity, as numerous establishments will offer locals-only promotions and discounts.

Details on participating merchants are available at the Berlin Welcome Center or Town Hall, or online at the Take Pride in Berlin Week Facebook page.

Bohlen said commission members would be leading the charge for Clean-Up Berlin Day on April 23 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

“We’re going to have folks at Decatur Park, Henry Park, Heron Park and downtown,” she said.

The Berlin Parks Commission has sponsored the annual spruce-up event for more than two decades as a way to celebrate Earth Day, which falls on April 22 this year.

In addition, pollinator gardens at Heron Park are planned.

Bohlen said Lower Shore Land Trust Executive Director  Kate Patton would be present to survey planting beds.

“She’s most likely going to get some plants and will need some mulch dropped off,” Bohlen said.

Bohlen said the duo agreed that while future development plans at Heron Park remain hazy, beautification efforts would still be worthwhile.

“It’s just unknown at this point, but we may as well make it look good,” she said.

Bohlen said participants are encouraged to bring supplies such as gloves, rakes and shovels.

“Public Works will drop mulch at various locations,” she said.

Volunteers can put in a few hours of planting, weeding and mulching at any or all of the focus areas.

“The last couple of years we did do it, Henry Park got a fantastic turnout, but Stephen Decatur Park not so much,” she said. “If it just doesn’t seem like we’re getting people out there. Maybe next year we’ll redirect a little bit.”

Additionally, adult volunteers are needed to clean up Hudson Branch. Participants should wear heavy clothing and boots. Hudson Branch work assignments can be obtained that morning at Henry Park.

In terms of gathering help, Parks Commission Chair Mike Wiley said local organizations and businesses had signed on in prior years.

Commission member Patricia Dufendach mentioned the advent of a new community organization.

“We Heart Berlin has a broad reach,” she said. “They’re great about getting the word out.”

Public Works Director Jimmy Charles said dump trucks and tractors would be at the various parks.

“I’ll probably designate a chain saw operator,” he said.

Bohlen said Clean-Up Berlin Day would close with a free lunch sponsored by SonRise Church at Henry Park about noon.