By Greg Ellison

(Nov. 4, 2021) Following Berlin Mayor Zach Tyndall’s recent cancellation of a meeting with Maryland Department of Natural Resources representatives to discuss state help for Heron Park, town officials took another swipe at developing a partnership with the state agency on Friday.

Bad weather, however, blocked a visit to the site.

Tyndall and council members Shaneka Nichols, Jack Orris and Troy Purnell met DNR Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio and Special Advisor Bunky Luffman at Town Hall to discuss state grant programs that could help pay for the 63-acre park’s development.

Berlin bought the former Tyson poultry plant property on Old Ocean City Boulevard for roughly $2.5 million in 2015 from Berlin Properties North, whose principals include Councilman Purnell. The town is paying $200,000 a year on that debt through 2045.

“Mother Nature just didn’t want to cooperate with us,” said Tyndall, who cancelled a Sept. 10 site visit because of scheduling conflicts.

Most of the park falls into the “passive use” category and provides refuge for birds, turtles and other wildlife, and visitors who want to experience nature.

“It’s a nice little spot where you don’t feel like you’re really in town,” he said.

Tyndall said Berlin is examining partnerships with a number of state agencies besides DNR.

“We’re applying for the Department of Housing and Community Development and a Strategic Demolition Fund for the front parcel,” he said.

Berlin officials are issuing a request for proposals on Nov. 1 for parcels 57 and 410, which combined account for approximately 16 acres of the overall site. Were these sections to be developed privately, they would return to the tax rolls and provide some revenue for the town.

Regardless of potential uses for parcels 57 and 410, Tyndall stressed that the town is seeking to preserve the larger park area in its natural state.

“We still want to protect that passive use area for recreation, birding and things of that nature,” he said.

Tyndall also asked about the DNR’s recent acquisition of the nearby 437-acre former Bay Club Golf Course property and an adjacent 236-acre farm plot for roughly $4.2 million.

“Any news on that front or ways we can partner would be excellent,” he said.

Haddaway-Riccio said the state is only just beginning to figure out what kind of approach it wants to take with the 673 acres located off Libertytown Road.

“It’s really in the early stages of planning,” she said.

Haddaway-Riccio said one focus for DNR officials is connecting parks to nearby downtown or urban areas.

“We’re also squarely focused on connectivity,” she said. “We would be happy to work with the town on that.”

Tyndall said the ideal scenario would be if DNR would assist with creating a path of some kind to connect Heron Park and the Bay Club property.

“The boundary of town limits is literally in eyesight of the Bay Club property,” he said.

Economic & Community Development Director Ivy Wells reviewed an online map of Heron Park with Haddaway-Riccio.

“The park stretches back to Route 113,” she said. “The front part of Heron Park is just a small part of this.”

When Tyndall asked if any way exists to tie Bay Club lands into future Heron Park plans, Haddaway-Riccio replied that a clear channel of contact should be established.

“If you want to identify a main point of contact, we can get them in touch with our team and make sure everybody’s talking,” she said.