By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Oct. 22, 2026) Worcester County government plans to overhaul its athletic complex in Berlin with updated baseball fields, playgrounds, walking trails, batting cages, and more to accommodate the growth of local youth sports leagues.

Next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Stephen Decatur High School, Engineering representatives from Davis, Bowen & Friedel and staff from Worcester County Recreation and Parks will present a proposed master plan for the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex on Buckingham Lane.

Presenters plan to detail the park’s current conditions and layout, the amenities that will remain, and potential additions and renovations.

In an email to the Bayside Gazette Monday, Director of Worcester’s Recreation and Parks Department Kelly O’Brien-Rados said proposed upgrades include two artificial turf multi-purpose fields, a stone dust walking trail, three batting cages, six pickleball courts, 280 new asphalt parking spaces, a playground for kids aged two to five, and the redevelopment of six baseball/softball fields to 200 feet.

The site will also get a maintenance shop, two new restroom locations, and a recreation equipment storage building.

O’Brien-Rados said the enhancement project aims to address a parking shortage and support the expansion of local athletic leagues. The initiative also ensures the park is on par with similar properties throughout the county.

“Upgrades including fencing, field upgrades, batting cages, dugouts, concessions, and bathrooms have been completed at other regional parks like Showell Park, Newtown Park, and John Walter Smith Park,” the recreation director said. “The proposed renovations will bring NWAC up to the same standard as our other parks.”

Additionally, an existing senior league field location will remain, but will undergo major renovation. O’Brien-Rados said the infield will be artificial turf.

“This will allow for play of all ages with the addition of temporary fences as needed,” she said. “Softball will also be able to utilize the field with the addition of the turf.”

Two new multi-purpose turf fields will offer more play to Pop Warner leagues and Beach Lacrosse teams. Field hockey, t-ball, and soccer programs may also benefit from the additional grounds.

“These fields will also include baseball foul lines and bases in opposing corners to provide an additional four fields for t-ball and younger age groups,” O’Brien-Rados said. “These fields will also allow for rotation of field use to limit the wear and tear of the fields.”

The athletic complex’s redevelopment follows Worcester County’s purchase of fields off Route 113 adjacent to Worcester Preparatory School. The Lions Club previously owned the land and leased it to the county.

O’Brien-Rados said that now that Worcester owns the fields, it can pursue more extensive upgrades and seek grant funding to pay for the work.

The six baseball fields can now be stretched to 200 feet, allowing older age groups to use them for their games.

“This helps with league scheduling and getting more use out of the fields,” O’Brien-Rados maintained.

Project leaders said the initiative will be phased out depending on the funding grants received.

The community is invited to attend the information session next week, where representatives will detail the renovation plans for the athletic complex.

“Upgrades and renovations are needed,” O’Brien-Rados said. “Instead of piecing it together project by project, we felt it was important to create a master plan to help serve as a roadmap for the result … We want the public and park users to be in the loop and ultimately, we want the public to be as excited about this as we are.”