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Pittsfield Wrapping Up Summer Recreation Programs, Looks to Fall

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Parks Department is looking for another program for the fall now that the NFL stopped the Punt, Pass, and Kick program.
 
The youth football competition had been sponsored by the National Football League since 1961. In the spring, the NFL affiliate USA Football voted to end the program during its annual summit. Instead, the NFL is launching a flag football program in schools, ending its sanctioning of the Punt, Pass, and Kick program.
 
"We believe programs such as NFL FLAG-In-Schools offer a unique opportunity to expand our reach and introduce more kids to the fundamentals of football in school and recreational environments," reads a release from USA Football.
 
But word hadn't reached Pittsfield until just last week when Recreation Coordinator Rebecca Manship reached out to other programs in the state as she began looking toward the fall.
 
"I learned last week that the NFL has ended the punt, pass, and kick program. We'll try to figure out if something is possible that we can do in the fall, either related to that or just some program for that," Manship told the Parks Commission on Tuesday.
 
Locally, the city saw many youths succeed in the competition. Last year, two local children participated in the New England Patriots Team Championship at Gillette Stadium.
 
The loss of the program opens the door for a replacement, but what that will be hasn't been determined. Nonetheless, the city's summer programming is coming to an end in the coming weeks and the shift is now toward looking at fall. 
 
Manship said having the lifeguards stationed at Burbank Park will end on Sunday. 
 
"Wednesdays through Fridays have been really packed with camps and different programs," Manship said.
 
The city's playground program, which brings playground leaders to Clapp, Deming, and the Common, comes to an end on Sunday. And the final outdoor movie night is scheduled for Friday as well.
 
That, however, was a rescheduled date as the weather put a damper on three movie nights this summer. The showing of "Minions" was rained out twice, with last week the city getting as much of the movie in as it could on the rescheduled date last Friday.
 
"We have the reschedule of 'Storks' this Friday night. We're hoping to get that in but the weather forecast doesn't look so great. We're keeping our fingers crossed," Manship said. "We did have to cancel three movies on their original dates — two of which are 'Minions' and 'Storks' — 'Zootopia,' we weren't able to reschedule for this summer but we will reschedule it as part of next summer."
 
Manship praised the Just for Kick's soccer program, which was held at Clapp Park held early in August. Manship said 30 children had registered for the program and 28 actually participated.
 
The Dig This Volleyball program on Aug. 7 and 8 saw seven children participate at the Common. Earlier this year, the department held a golf program and a track and field program.
 
Now the focus shifts on the Halloween Parade and finding a replacement for the NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick. And trying to sort out how the other sports programs will share the playing fields.
 
Manship said a new superintendent was hired and an annual meeting to discuss the use of the various fields was canceled because most of the organizations using the fields had already gotten the ball rolling. But, there isn't much of a conflict. The only question outstanding is regarding the use of Clapp Park for soccer. 
 
Currently, the fence for the baseball field is up, which was added this year as part of the renovations to create the Buddy Pellerin Field, and the Parks Department is now figuring out the timeline for the removal of the fence for the fall and winter, and when the soccer club would need to use it.

Tags: public parks,   youth programs,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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