BERLIN — Although she admitted it might be difficult to get funding from the cash-strapped state, Assistant Town Administrator Mary Bohlen sought approval from the Mayor and Council for what she called her Project Open Space (POS) “wish list”.

In past years, the item that topped the list but remains incomplete, was a request for funds to expand upon the playground area in Stephen Decatur Park. This year, however, she suggested — at the request of the Parks Commission — that that project be bumped down to number two in favor of a project for Henry Park.

Located on Flower Street, Henry Park has been slated by the town to have a walking path similar to the one already in place at Stephen Decatur Park installed. One of the primary reasons this has been identified as a need is the number of people who take advantage of the Stephen Decatur Park walking path have to cross Route 113 to do so.

Several years ago, a walking path was installed at Stephen Decatur Park as part of a pilot program initiated by the State to test out a new rubber mixture that was to be easier on people’s joints as they walked or ran. Over the years it has proved to be too high maintenance to be repeated exactly, but the low-impact trail remains popular for exercisers.

Bohlen said that the Henry Park walking trail would be made of similar material, but of a type better suited to the climate so it would require less maintenance.

The Town has already initiated the design and engineering phase of the path and Bohlen said that might help convince the people at POS of Berlin’s commitment to the project.

Town Administrator Tony Carson said that there might also be Maryland Department of Natural Resources grant funding available and that the Town staff would pursue those options as will.

The Stephen Decatur Project will remain listed as a placeholder to keep it higher on the queue.

Bohlen also encouraged residents to visit, “Like” and participate in the “Take Pride in Berlin” Facebook page. As Take Pride in Berlin week approaches, the organizers wish to have as much community input as possible.