(Nov. 10, 2016) The Berlin Parks Commission discussed the following items during its Nov. 1 meeting at Town Hall:
Slide show
Town Administrator Laura Allen briefed the commission on her trip to Southeast Asia earlier this year. As part of a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department, two young professionals from that region came to Berlin in May, and Allen traveled to the Philippines and Malaysia in August to tour their native countries.
Allen showed photos from her visit and spoke about Bulusan Volcano Park, which featured a floating meeting space and a treetop walkway. She said she could envision similar structures at Berlin Falls Park.
Another takeaway from the visit, Allen said, was that small communities are often able to convey their point of view easier than larger ones.
“When you’re small, people can relate to you better,” Allen said. “A lot of smaller communities are looking at [Berlin] as a model.”
Amped for “Ramped”
Commission member Patricia Dufendach said she was impressed with the “Get Ramped” event, held at Berlin Falls park on Oct. 23. The inaugural event featured mountain bike instruction, safety information, and several demonstration ramps.
“All in all, [it was] a wonderful group of people. I was shocked at the number of folks that were there … it really went well,” she said. “[There were] so many huge, big smiles.”
She said about 50 families came, surprising organizers with the turnout.
Bohlen said she thought the group, which included Tres Denk from the Eastern Shore chapter of the International Mountain Biking Association, intended to host another Get Ramped next year at roughly the same time. Dufendach asked Bohlen to add that to the calendar so the commission could “make it a more formal relationship” and help organize the event in 2017.
2017 events
The commission discussed a rough schedule of events they would be involved in next year. Town staff liaison Mary Bohlen said the mayor and council would likely approve the schedule.
Events included Spring Celebration, April 15, Take Pride in Berlin Week, April 22-29, Clean-Up Berlin Day, April 22, Spring Just Walk, May 6, Outdoor Movie Nights, June 17, July 1, July 15, July 29, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26, National Night Out, Aug. 1 and Fall Just Walk, Nov. 11.
An additional Outdoor Movie Night on Oct. 21 was discussed. It would be expected to feature “some sort of a Halloween type movie,” according to Bohlen. “Rocky Horror Picture Show” was among those mentioned.
Berlin Youth Club
Coordinator Amanda Chafee said the Berlin Youth Club was selecting children to participate in the United Spirit Campaign, which brings 10 children to WalMart near the Christmas holiday and gives them each $100 gift cards to spend. They are encouraged to buy presents for their families, and “at least one thing for themselves,” she said.
A visit with Santa and shuttle trip to Outback Steakhouse is also included in the annual program. The club is looking for volunteers to help with the effort, which will take place on Dec. 3.
Ongoing project update
Bohlen said town staff members had spoken to officials at the United States Tennis Association about improvements to the courts at Stephen Decatur Park. She said they had received a number of options that ranged $2,000 to $200,000 in cost. She said town engineers were exploring each, and that bids could go out for a spring construction.
Permanent restrooms at Dr. William Henry Park were also being sought, and Bohlen said the town had contacted about a half dozen “prefab” companies.
The building, she said, could include small restrooms, separated by a plumbing and mechanical closet.
New lighting for the basketball courts at Henry Park also was discussed. Bohlen said the town would do “targeted mailing” to gauge public interest or objections.
She said the upgrade could be “fairly expensive,” but that it could be included in the next fiscal-year budget. She added that town ordinances would have to be slightly modified to allow people in the park after dark. The State Highway Administration would also need to be included in the planning, Bohlen said.
Slide show
Town Administrator Laura Allen briefed the commission on her trip to Southeast Asia earlier this year. As part of a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department, two young professionals from that region came to Berlin in May, and Allen traveled to the Philippines and Malaysia in August to tour their native countries.
Allen showed photos from her visit and spoke about Bulusan Volcano Park, which featured a floating meeting space and a treetop walkway. She said she could envision similar structures at Berlin Falls Park.
Another takeaway from the visit, Allen said, was that small communities are often able to convey their point of view easier than larger ones.
“When you’re small, people can relate to you better,” Allen said. “A lot of smaller communities are looking at [Berlin] as a model.”
Amped for “Ramped”
Commission member Patricia Dufendach said she was impressed with the “Get Ramped” event, held at Berlin Falls park on Oct. 23. The inaugural event featured mountain bike instruction, safety information, and several demonstration ramps.
“All in all, [it was] a wonderful group of people. I was shocked at the number of folks that were there … it really went well,” she said. “[There were] so many huge, big smiles.”
She said about 50 families came, surprising organizers with the turnout.
Bohlen said she thought the group, which included Tres Denk from the Eastern Shore chapter of the International Mountain Biking Association, intended to host another Get Ramped next year at roughly the same time. Dufendach asked Bohlen to add that to the calendar so the commission could “make it a more formal relationship” and help organize the event in 2017.
2017 events
The commission discussed a rough schedule of events they would be involved in next year. Town staff liaison Mary Bohlen said the mayor and council would likely approve the schedule.
Events included Spring Celebration, April 15, Take Pride in Berlin Week, April 22-29, Clean-Up Berlin Day, April 22, Spring Just Walk, May 6, Outdoor Movie Nights, June 17, July 1, July 15, July 29, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26, National Night Out, Aug. 1 and Fall Just Walk, Nov. 11.
An additional Outdoor Movie Night on Oct. 21 was discussed. It would be expected to feature “some sort of a Halloween type movie,” according to Bohlen. “Rocky Horror Picture Show” was among those mentioned.
Berlin Youth Club
Coordinator Amanda Chafee said the Berlin Youth Club was selecting children to participate in the United Spirit Campaign, which brings 10 children to WalMart near the Christmas holiday and gives them each $100 gift cards to spend. They are encouraged to buy presents for their families, and “at least one thing for themselves,” she said.
A visit with Santa and shuttle trip to Outback Steakhouse is also included in the annual program. The club is looking for volunteers to help with the effort, which will take place on Dec. 3.
Ongoing project update
Bohlen said town staff members had spoken to officials at the United States Tennis Association about improvements to the courts at Stephen Decatur Park. She said they had received a number of options that ranged $2,000 to $200,000 in cost. She said town engineers were exploring each, and that bids could go out for a spring construction.
Permanent restrooms at Dr. William Henry Park were also being sought, and Bohlen said the town had contacted about a half dozen “prefab” companies.
The building, she said, could include small restrooms, separated by a plumbing and mechanical closet.
New lighting for the basketball courts at Henry Park also was discussed. Bohlen said the town would do “targeted mailing” to gauge public interest or objections.
She said the upgrade could be “fairly expensive,” but that it could be included in the next fiscal-year budget. She added that town ordinances would have to be slightly modified to allow people in the park after dark. The State Highway Administration would also need to be included in the planning, Bohlen said.