By Greg Ellison

(Aug. 5, 2021) Since launching the Berlin Commons community green space several weeks ago, Buzz Meadery owners Brett and Megan Hines have enjoyed witnessing the concept gaining traction with neighbors.

In May, both the Berlin Historic District Commission and the Planning Commission approved plans for the Hines to improve a triangle-shaped dirt lot located between Gay and Jefferson streets to hold special events and provide outdoor dining space.

Berlin residents since 2015, the Hines launched the Buzz Meadery last June and produce a “honey wine” averaging 6-8 percent of alcohol.

Brett Hines said after staging a soft opening in mid-June, the spot was revitalized over the next few weeks with fencing installed, signs added and sod planted.

“I do want to thank the community for accepting this project because they didn’t have to,” he said.

Hines said Berlin Commons officially opened three weeks ago and has quickly gained in popularity.

“The community has shown up for us,” he said.

While cognizant of the project’s personal significance, Hines said the revamped public space has proven meaningful to others.

“Every day that I’m out there, I get somebody that says, ‘Thank you for building the Berlin Commons,’” he said.

Berlin Commons has provided a gathering spot for families to talk to each other while permitting children safe space to play.

“It warms my heart when I see more kids out there than adults just playing in the space, including my own kids,” he said.

The fenced-in lot currently has a trio of triangle-shaped overhead coverings for shade and four eight-foot tables, with plans to add a pair of six-foot picnic tables in short order.

Maintaining the green space has developed into a community effort, Hines said.

“I don’t have enough time in my day to keep that thing watered but I’m doing the best I can,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of support from people helping us landscape and keep that looking the way it is.”

Hines said among a host of parties investing sweat equity has been Andy Blizzard, with local clean-up campaign “Restore the Shore.”

Earlier this year Blizzard and Andrew Duley, with Seagull Disposal, started “Restore the Shore” and have removed mountains of refuse from local roads.

“He helped me with some landscaping, as well as other people,” he said. “He’s one of the people that helps keep trash out of the property.”

Hines also offered a debt of gratitude for contractor Rob Barbely who partnered on completing site upgrades.

“Him and I built it,” he said.

While always available for public use from sunrise to sunset, the Hines are also operating at the site from Thursday through Saturday.

Several of those dates have included musical accompaniment, such as a recent acoustic set by Kaleb Brown, among others.

“We’ve had a violinist out there, Bethany Jubilee. She played acoustic,” he said. “I’m trying to get some jazz out there [and] we’re looking for jazz musicians.”

Brett Hines said the new venture has provided unforeseen intangibles.

“We’ve had a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s been the first time in a long time that I’ve had a place where I can connect with my neighbors and really learn who they are.”

Since opening up Berlin Commons, Hines has seen members of the community bond on site.

“Ideas are being shared amongst neighbors and laughs are being had,” he said. “It’s a place to let your hair down.”

As summer continues chugging along, Hines is grateful the concept has resonated.

“I’m just thankful that people are using the space respectively and in the way, so far, that it would be recommend to be used,” he said.