Proposed Skate Park Never Gets Off The Ground

The Berlin Economic Development Commission voted 5-2 to keep a skate park from being built in Phase II of the Veterans Park near Stop & Shop.

The Parks and Recreation commission hoped for the skate park to be included in Phase II of the park, which is the area that is fronting Masserio Drive.

"The town was awarded a half million STEAP grant for Phase II of the Veterans Park," said Berlin EDC Chairman Jim Mahoney. "The EDC is working to define the scope of the improvements and some of the ideas had to be included in the initial application

"We have had different ideas, Skate Park, Passive Park and a covered multi-sport facility which would have ice skating, ice hockey and basketball hoops. We have taken all the information in and we had to decide if we are going to have passive or active recreation in that area. What should it be and what shouldn't it be? The skate park has probably had the most support of any of the ideas."

Despite the support the EDC commissioners voted down the skate park proposal 5-2.

One of the commissioners said that Phase II would likely remain a landscaped area with benches and walking trails.