32 Annual Friends of Springside Park Clean Up

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Friends of Springside Park will hold its 32nd annual Spring Clean Up for Earth Day on Saturday, May 8, from 9:00 am to 2 pm.  
 
This year marks 40 years of consecutive spring clean up efforts by different organizations and volunteers dating back to 1981.
 
Volunteers are asked to come at any time during the day and to bring gloves. Bags, maps and instructions will be provided.
 
Participants are asked to maintain social distancing and wear masks when closer than 6 feet.
 
Check in table will be located at the NORTH PLAYGROUND– Directions: Enter the park at 871 North Street Main Park entrance just south of Reid Middle school and head straight for 1/10th mile.
 
Co-Sponsored by the Springside Park Conservancy and its community partners: Springside Greenhouse Group, Hebert Arboretum, Tyler Street Business Group, Morningside Neighborhood Initiative & Berkshire NEMBA
 

Tags: Springside Park,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories