Berlin holds Mayor and Council meeting, discussing priority projects for the town
BERLIN, Md.- Talks have been in the works to bring new projects to Berlin. Each year, the Parks Commission gathers a list of project priorities then recommends those to the Mayor and Council for consideration.
“We do use that list to apply or position ourselves for grant funding through the Community Parks and Playground Grant,” Mayor Zach Tyndall said.
Mayor Tyndall said this year those recommendations included, “An inclusive playground as their priority project number one and then a skate park study or a continuation of a skate park study as number two.”
He also said that the inclusive playground would be located at Stephen Dectaur Park. Last year, the Parks Commission presented priority projects and this inclusive playground came after the skate park on the list. But, since then that order changed. “Following the most recent playground inspection, was showing some wear and tear and some aging on the equipment which is why I think you saw the Parks Commission move that to a priority one project,” Tyndall said.
With that said, Tony Weeg, a leader in trying to bring this skate park to life, has some frustrations. “While we see the need for some upgraded park equipment and we see the need for inclusive playground equipment, we didn’t necessarily see the need for the skate park to play second fiddle, after the skate park has been on the Parks Commission list of priorities for the last year,” Weeg said.
Weeg said he’s been trying to make this project happen for years to provide skate park accessibility to underprivileged youth. He’s raised money through his non-profit, We Heart Berlin, and a feasibility study has been done. So, he said while it stands as number two he’s going to fight to see it stand as a priority. “We are going to basically start with a survey that’s going to be done by Beacon and Salisbury University that will sort of identify the level of interest and wants in the town for a skate park,” Weeg said.
Weeg said he thinks there needs to be better communication as this process continues, and Mayor Tyndall said going forward both priorities will be discussed and he believes both projects can be pursued at the same time.
“You can have more than one project be accomplished in a given year. It just may mean that one’s a better fit for the community parks and playground funding than the other,” Mayor Tyndall said.
Mayor Tyndall said the Parks Commission will come to their Mayor and Council meeting on Aug. 8 where they will discuss both priorities and then prepare the grant application process for the playground.
