The governor announced the $1.2 million in projects Monday morning in Lenox.

LENOX, Mass. — Bob Coakley has fond memories of Baker's Pond. And soon, others will be able to make their own.

 

The days of swimming, ice skating and basking in the sun are gone now. Invasive species have taken over, the ancient piping system that fills it with spring water is broken and brush have crowded the space.

 

"When my dad was a young fellow, all of the young people in town used to swim there, play hockey there in the winter," Coakley said. 

 

Next year, the pond in Kennedy Park will be spruced up.

 

Gov. Deval Patrick announced that $125,000 will be allocated to dredging the pond, fixing the water system and eliminating those pesky species have muddled the water.

 

The town was given the land by the state in the early 2000s and Coakley, a member of the Kennedy Park Commission, has been working on bringing the area back to life. The town rebuilt the spillway but didn't have the funds for the dredging and invasive species.

 

"We needed the money and thank God both the Legislature and the governor approve it," Coakley said.

 

The governor announced the funds for that project and for the turf field at Berkshire Community College on Monday morning at Lenox Town Hall.

 

"We will not only improve aesthetics for residents and visitors but also improve the habitat with the removal of invasive species," Patrick said of the project.

 

Town Manager Christopher Ketchen said town meeting allocated $10,000 earlier this year to start the engineering. That work is expected to be complete by the end of the year to prepare for restoration work to begin in the spring.

 

"The Baker's Pond improvement project has been a dream of a number of people and the Kennedy Park Commission," Ketchen said. "Soon Baker's Pond will be dredged to make it deeper and more defined. Invasive plants will be removed. This spring, a broken and abandoned pipe will be replaced to the way it was in the early 20th century."

 

State Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli characterized the pond as a "jewel" that the project "polishes it up." Pignatelli has been part of the project himself, dating back to when the state gave the town the land — a consolation prize for widening Routes 7/20 against the town's wishes.

 

"Baker's Pond has been a project of mine for 15 years but it has been a dream for more than 50 years," Pignatelli said.

 

An additional benefit is a new partnership with Berkshire Community College. The college has partnered with the town to use the land for science classes.

 

"The town has partnered with Berkshire Community College to assist with project monitoring and turn the pond and everything around it into a hands-on classroom," Patrick said.

 

Berkshire Community College was the star of the second and larger announcement. The governor announced $1.1 million to build an athletic facility and turf field on the campus. Patrick also later announced $25.4 million in funds for the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts in North Adams.  

 

Bob Coakley has been wanting to spruce up the park for more than 15 years.

"We hope that when young people come to our school to play sports, they will also get an appreciation of what a college is like, inspiring them," BCC President Ellen Kennedy said, adding that the facility shows how much the community cares about youth sports.

 

That project is expected to cost $2.4 million. The city of Pittsfield is contributing $200,000 for it and the rest is being raised by a volunteer group. The project entails new playing fields for lacrosse, football, soccer and other sports as well as new lighting, seating, concession stands and a press box.

 

"This field will be the only one of its kind in the whole county, improving the lives of students, athletes and residents. While also, improve the drainage, water runoff and the wetlands," Patrick said. 

 

The sporting complex will be maintained by user fees and such events as tournaments — tournaments no where in the county can currently host. It will be used by youth sports, high school and college sports. 

 

"Youth sports is one way we can reach out to a vulnerable population. The City of Pittsfield and Berkshire County are making great efforts to reach out to our youth so we can keep them healthy and keep them safe," said state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield.

 

Farley-Bouvier was joined by state Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru.

 

The governor said both of the projects will improve the quality of life in the Berkshires.

 

Monday's announcement was likely Patrick's last trip to Lenox in an official capacity. His term in office ends in January. But, the Richmond resident assured the large crowd that he will continue be a neighbor.

 

"I have tried to be governor for the whole state — both geographically and demographically," Patrick said.

 

For Pittsfield, Mayor Daniel Bianchi believes Patrick did just that. The state is building a new innovation center at the William Stanley Industrial Park and has allocated money to finish the North Street reconstruction project all because "this governor knew how to get to Pittsfield."

 

"I am just so glad to be able to add a turf field to the long list of wonderful support this governor has given and this administration has given. It has been a true, true blessing," Bianchi said.

 

State Sen. Benjamin Downing, D-Pittsfield, said not only was the governor there for the big announcements, but he was also there for "every issue" the county faced. 

 

"His impact on this county will be seen for some time and the ripple effect for years to come," Downing said.

 

Another focus of the administration highlighted by Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett is the focus on parks and open space, which both of these projects are. Statewide, the Patrick administration has preserved 125,000 acres and restored more than 200 parks, she said.

 

"I cannot express enough the honor I have to be part of this unprecedented conservation effort over the last several years," Bartlett said.