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North Adams Hospital Opens Walking Trails

Project manager Jennifer Munoz, right, greets hospital staff entering the trail system on Friday.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Visitors and staff at North Adams Regional Hospital can now stretch their legs in the great outdoors.

Northern Berkshire Healthcare has opened two walking trails in the woods behind the hospital and Ambulatory Care Center. The trails — a one-quarter mile loop and a nearly half-mile loop — wind along small hillside within sight of the facility.

Northern Berkshire Healthcare Trustee Ellen Bernstein of Williamstown donated the funds to clear the paths and build four bridges over ditches and wet areas. NBH President and CEO Tim Jones presented her with a walking stick on Friday before setting out with her on the path with about two dozen employees.

"Through the generosity of Ellen it really is supporting our vision for the future in the which is to be a vital partner in creating a healthy community," said Jones. "This is one of the first things that is tangible for the community to see."

The goal is to get people out of the building and walking when possible, such as during breaks or while waiting for a loved one to have a procedure. Project manager Jennifer Munoz said it was part of the hospital's goal to develop "a culture of health and wellness for employees as well as patrons."

The trails are open to the public; individuals can walk a couple miles up and down the mild incline by doing several loops.

It took the efforts of 10 employees in the facilities division about six weeks working part time to construct the bridges and clear the trails, said Director of Facilities Darryl Smith. The "brute work" of clearing was mostly done by new employees Ed Luczynski and Brandon Ansley.

The paths can support two across but while cleared, they are still woodland trails with rocks and roots. Appropriate footwear is recommended. Green ribbons mark the shorter, more level trail and orange ribbons the longer trail.

All the activities are part of the hospital's new "Greensters" team, which is also spearheading ways to reduce food waste.

The land was donated when the hospital opened in 1885.

Bernstein said she made the trails possible out of concern for the health of the community.

"It makes me sad to see so many people who don't get exercise," she said. "Who really could reverse their own health problems by adopting a healthy lifestyle."

The donation came from a family foundation created by her father, an enthusiastic walker.

"He went walking very night after dinner as long as it was not icy and horrible out," she said. "He went out after every meal and took a long walk."

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

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. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.