Mayor Richard Alcombright spoke with Stamford Elementary School pupils about a proposed skate park on Monday afternoon.
STAMFORD, Vt. — Nicholas Fahey's seventh- and eighth-grade class at Stamford Elementary School made their case for what would be the best skate park in North Adams to Mayor Richard Alcombright on Monday afternoon.
The nine pupils split into three groups to argue for three of the locations — Noel Field, Holden Street and Houghton Street in the Massachusetts city. They discussed various points, including safety, location, price and the Holden Street group even advocated for a green park.
"First it wouldn't cost as much, secondly it would provide a strong connection to the community, and finally, it would be safer than the other sites," said Alyssa Joly. "Out of the top three considerations, Houghton Street is by far the best choice."
The group said there wouldn't need to be much construction and overhead lights are already in use. They also said the park would improve connection for the community, since it already includes a playground and is close to downtown.
"It's location and existing use would just attract even more people if they see a skate/BMX park," Joly said.
The mayor agreed with the Houghton Street group, citing the same reasons and elaborating further on the possibility of collaborating with Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art across the street from the park.
"They're very optimistic about helping and making the property work," Alcombright said.
The Noel Field group explained the location made it the best candidate for a skate park, which makes it safer, very accessible to the community — especially the south side neighborhoods — and would be located very close to the Hot Dog Ranch. The group, consisting of Aimee Dowling, Lorenzo Cristofolini and Brandon Condon, noted that the police and fire stations are about half a mile away and the hospital is about a mile away.
The group advocating the Holden Street skate park stressed its large area, a safe location also not far from the police station. In addition, they pushed for a green park with many trees and greenery.
After the presentation, two-thirds of the class voted that it liked the Houghton Street park as the best spot.
The mayor told the students he's expecting the project to be completed in three years in different phases, explaining the city needs to acquire community development block grants, fully design the park and then construct it.
Fahey's class worked on the project throughout the last three weeks. Their project included a PowerPoint presentation with 3D renderings and a brochure.
"They did a great job," Fahey said. "They pulled it together."
Fahey explained that the city's project was chosen because it fit the curriculum well and that his students will eventually attend Drury High School and McCann Technical School in North Adams.
Alcombright also said he would like the students to eventually present their projects to the city.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
MassDOT Warns of Toll-fee Smishing Scam
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was alerted that a text message-based scam, also known as smishing, is fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies from across the country. The scammers are claiming to represent the tolling agency and requesting payment for unpaid tolls.
The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads.
Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from EZDriveMA or another toll agency should not click on the link.
EZDriveMA customers can verify a valid text notification in several ways:
The FBI says it has received more than 2,000 complaints related to toll smishing scams since early March and recommends individuals who receive fraudulent messages do the following:
1. File a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov; be sure to include:
The phone number from where the text originated.
The website listed within the text
2. Check your account using the toll service's legitimate website.
3. Contact the toll service's customer service phone number.
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
click for more
This spring weekend, there are a variety of events in and around the Berkshires, including Spring Celebrations, music, cleanups, and more.
click for more
More than 300 students from area high schools entered their work in 12th annual Teen Invitational at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. click for more
Backed by a $750,000 federal grant for a planning study, North Adams and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art are looking to undo some of that damage.
click for more