Nonprofit organizer Weeg checks in with Planning Commission on three fronts

By Greg Ellison

(Jan. 20, 2022) We Heart Berlin President and CEO Tony Weeg discussed a trio of proposals with the Parks Commission during a virtual meeting last Tuesday.

Leading the list was Weeg’s idea of “Love Day” as an annual celebration. The observance was introduced last year as a community event in Henry Park.

Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said if the Parks Commission votes to back the proposal, Weeg could submit a request to add “Love Day” to the town calendar.

“What support from town services would be needed?” she said.

Weeg said comparable support to the inaugural gathering would be required.

“We already had a police presence and public works was on hand,” he said.

In general, the event would focus on the arts, music and, of course, basketball, Weeg said.

“What it turns into and how we evolve it, I’m not really sure,” he said. “It will be a day of dancing, fun and food.”

Bohlen said there had been previous discussions of an arts festival on Flower Street.

“We talked last year about holding an arts festival, but the timing wasn’t right, and we weren’t able to pull it together,” she said. “Are you interested in combining with that or looking at two separate events?”

Weeg said Love Day would be one element within a larger concept.

“Personally, I want to see a Flower Street festival that is more than just ‘Love Day,’” he said. “’Love Day’ is part of what’s going to happen.”

To that end, Weeg has been strategizing with Councilmember Shaneka Nichols and Economic & Community Development Director Ivy Wells on plans for Flower Street celebrations.

The Parks Commission voted unanimously in support of establishing “Love Day” as an ongoing tradition.

“Beyond that it has to go to the mayor and council,” he said.

Bohlen encouraged Weeg to continue forming plans in consultation with Nichols and Wells.

“To put together a proposal for one or more events in Henry Park,” she said.

Event details and proposed dates would also need clarification, Bohlen said.

Public Works Director Jimmy Charles said crews would be available to assist with set up and trash removal.

“The bathrooms will be ready and cleaned,” he said.

Bouncing over to table tennis, Weeg asked what needed to be done to see that a ping-pong attraction is installed in Burbage Park.

“We would love to call it the, ‘Tables at Burbage Park,’” he said.

In addition to a pair of tables, the pocket park plans proposed by Weeg include twin brick walls measuring 25 feet by 18 inches.

Weeg also suggested installing two brick pads underneath each ping pong table instead of concrete surfacing.

“I think that a brick pad would actually look better aesthetically and be more fun to play on,” he said. “It would match the wall as well.”

Long-term maintenance was one concern cited by Bohlen.

“There are porous concrete and impervious surfaces that could be used that might be a better long-term,” she said.

Weeg noted the nonprofit had already purchased ping pong tables and, regardless of design options, were chomping at the bit to proceed.

“What are next steps to get shovels in the ground and start the process?” he said.

Bohlen said town staff would have to discuss that.

“We will get back to you and start moving sooner than later,” she said.

Weeg welcomed the news.

“I’ve talked to enough people and their paddles are ready,” he said.

Long-range plans for a skate park was the last initiative on the agenda from We Heart Berlin.

“The reality is we’ve raised some money through some amazing donations in the past two weeks,” he said.

With coffers now flush, Weeg said the goal is to contract a design firm to flesh out the vision.

“I’m here tonight asking what are the steps to figure out the physical space in town?” he said.

While understanding the project timeline could stretch out several years, organizers are prepared to finance a feasibility study.

Bohlen said the group could bring a feasibility study back to the town or wait for the mayor and council to issue a request for proposals.

While the former option could save time, there are no guarantees the town would agree to selected locations or design details.

“We haven’t done this before, so we’re finding our way as well,” she said.