Public has say on park, seeks new committee

Council must decide how to use demo grant money by August, mayor warns

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer

(July 20, 2023) As promised, Berlin officials continued to provide opportunities for residents to share their opinions about the potential development of Heron Park during last Tuesday’s Parks Commission meeting and last Wednesday’s Planning Commission session.

Most people who spoke seemed to support the idea of a garden center and small entertainment venue on the property, as well as Rails and

Trails to connect the property to the downtown area.

Much of the discussion revolved around protecting the natural assets on the property, the demolition of existing structures and whether the offer from Coastal Ventures was enough to address the $2.3 million the town owes on the property in bought in 2016.

There was also extensive discussion of a skate park on the property.

“The biggest question in this room is: ‘Where is the skate park going to be?’ That property could be the ideal place for a skate park,” Parks Commission member Laura Stearns said. Resident Ed Hammond agreed that