JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
The Berlin Falls Park Committee last week discussed potential developments at the park, on Old Ocean City Boulevard. Residents, meanwhile, can weigh in using a virtual suggestion box on the town’s website.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(May 24, 2018) The Berlin Falls Park Committee last week continued to work on its list of priorities for developments on the 60-plus acre former industrial site on Old Ocean City Boulevard.

Committee Vice Chairman Jack Orris said a facility with a swimming pool has been a recurring theme during those discussions.

“We would like to look further into the possibility of a county rec center partnership or a YMCA,” he said. “Any option would most likely necessitate pools and recreation opportunities all in one building.”

Ideally, Orris said, representatives from the YMCA and Worcester County Recreation Department would be asked to attend future meetings. The committee convenes once each month.

The committee also talked about the “feasibility and functionality of the existing buildings,” and what could be done with the back half of the park, which could remain open for passive public use, Orris said.

“The nature of the passive side is pretty much prepackaged for the community – we just want to spruce it up with some signage, address safety concerns, and utilize the recommendations of the [feasibility] studies,” Orris said. He added trash and dog-waste bins were installed at the park last week.

Orris also encouraged residents to continue to participate through an online suggestion box that went live the town’s website last month.

According to an online statement, “The Berlin Falls Park Advisory Committee would like to hear residents’ suggestions regarding the visibility of, and access to the 60-acre Town property containing the former Tyson chicken processing plant … The park is expected to contain a combination of active and passive uses.”

To view the online suggestion box, visit www.berlinmd.gov/park/berlin-falls-park or email suggestions to parksuggestions@berlinmd.gov.

The next scheduled Berlin Falls Park Advisory Committee meeting is Thursday, June 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.