By Greg Ellison

(July 29, 2021) Local nonprofit We Heart Berlin members Adrian Bowen Sr. and Tony Weeg received approval from Town Council on Monday for a proposal to repaint basketball courts in Henry Park.

In May, the Berlin Parks Commission gave the proposal a favorable recommendation.

Bowen has enlisted expert guidance from Shelton Hawkins, who has completed comparable projects in Easton and Cambridge.

“I was inspired by Mr. Hawkins,” he said.

Berlin native Bowen said the Henry Park courts provided a prime hoops spot in his younger days but has attracted less desirable elements in recent times.

“I started to see the park being used for the wrong things [and] treated disrespectfully,” he said.

Recognizing basketball courts were largely underused, Bowen came up with a concept to return life to Henry Park.

Weeg said after learning of Bowen’s plans, which happened to coincide with the formation of We Heart Berlin in February, he was invited to become a board member with the nonprofit.

We Heart Berlin quickly added the painting project to its list of initiatives.

“Embellishing existing courts with our installations draws attention and new life,” Weeg said. “It gives the kids a new sense of ownership.”

Bowen said the intent is to foster a sense of community connection by having residents assist in the beautification.

Hawkins has committed to undertake the project in mid-September, which should take about one month to complete.

“We will go hard to ask the community to help when the time arrives,” Weeg said. “It’s going to take all of us to paint it.”

Total costs are estimated at $9,000, which We Heart Berlin raised in two equal grant sums from the Worcester County Arts Council and the Artist Tree, formerly the Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee.

Weeg said an additional $2,000 was contributed by area residents.

The project starts with Hawkins and an artist assistant drawing a grid over court surfaces with chalk lines, after which volunteers would help add color to each square.

Bowen, who works with Worcester County Parks and Recreation and teaches at Worcester Technical High School, said the larger community, as well as youths, would be tapped for hands-on assistance.

“What I run into a lot is kids that need community service hours,” he said.

Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood supported the concept but asked who would be responsible for maintenance.

Weeg said if additional funding is required to maintain the court’s appearance, We Heart Berlin would be on board.

“We are a money raising machine that can absolutely drum up the money,” he said.

Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells asked about efforts to gauge community buy-in for the proposal.

Besides positive feedback from numerous youths, Weeg said a multitude of adult Berlin residents who used the courts yesteryear also back the effort.

“They’re super excited,” he said.

Council vice-president Dean Burrell supported the concept and also noted We Heart Berlin was now qualified for tax-exempt status through Maryland.

“I’m glad to hear you received your nonprofit certification today,” he said.

Council member Jay Knerr also applauded the painting pitch.

“This is community involvement at its best,” he said.

Weeg said revamping the basketball courts at Henry Park would serve a larger purpose.

“We know this is going to create attention,” he said. “It’s going to drive interest … and help us get life to the east side of town.”