BERLIN – For years, the east side of Berlin was “out of the equation” as resident Gabe Purnell puts it.
Those who lived in the Flower Street neighborhood felt little connection with the rest of the town. Located across a major highway from the heart of downtown Berlin, their only community building was deteriorating. So was their park.
“Things were at a standstill,” Purnell said. “The east side was left out of the equation. It was left to fend for itself.”
He credits the town’s current slate of elected officials with changing that. Within the past few years, the Flower Street neighborhood has benefited from the installation of sidewalks, renovations at the multipurpose building and improvements at Henry Park. A new countdown crosswalk on Route 113 even provides residents with a safer connection to the other side of town.
“When the community sees the town cares, it really adds pride to the community,” Purnell said.
Purnell, on behalf of the Berlin Community Improvement Association, shared his thanks with the mayor and council Tuesday. He said area residents appreciated the investment in their neighborhood.
During the past few years, the town has made substantial repairs to the aging Flower Street Multipurpose Building. The town has painted the interior, improved the bathrooms, installed new ceiling tiles, put siding on the building and fixed the roof. Purnell pointed out that the floor in the building is still in need of work, but councilmembers encouraged him to begin getting estimates for repairs.
Henry Park has also benefitted from substantial improvements within the past year. The cracked basketball courts have been redone and brand new bleachers and benches have been installed. The courts, which Purnell said were downright dangerous before they were replaced, are in such good condition now a local resident wants to host a summer basketball camp in the park.
“That’s the first time we’ve ever had someone step up with a major initiative,” Purnell said. “I think it happened because of the perception of the grounds.”
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams said he was thrilled that town officials and residents had been able to work together to bring the various improvements about.
“These partnerships work,” he said.
Williams said that since being elected, first as councilman and then as mayor, he’s tried to encourage projects that are good for the town, regardless of locale.
“There are no unimportant people in 21st century Berlin and no unimportant neighborhoods,” he said. “Each is vital to our present quality of life and future potential for our community.”