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The Parks Commission gave its approval for the event to be held at Springside Park on Tuesday.

New 'Winter Carnival' Planned at Springside Park

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new version of the winter carnival is set for Springside Park.
 
The Springside Conservancy is hosting an array of children's activities — from ice skating to sledding to snowshoeing — at the park on Saturday, Feb. 17, from noon until 4. The goal is to get families back into the park for a few hours of winter outdoor recreation.
 
"We want to bring the concept of families and kids being outdoors," said conservancy President Lisa Tully. "Our big thing is to just get families together at the park."
 
The Fire Department has agreed to create an ice skating rink near the pond at Springside Park and the conservancy plans to bring in propane heaters to create a warming station. The rink had been traditionally done at the Common but not since the renovation of that park.
 
"That will be the hub of the event," said Parks and Open Spaces Manager James McGrath.
 
The conservancy is planning to have cardboard sledding races with prizes for the fastest or the best decorated sled. Tully said she's hoping to track down snowshoes for children to join in hikes. She has asked the Boys and Girls Club to bring ice skates. There will be hiking walks through the trails and bicycle events. She added she is working on an idea to have Wiffle ball at the Little League field. 
 
And, of course, hot chocolate.
 
"We really want to bring attention to the park," Tully said.
 
Tully wanted to have a bonfire as well but fire inspectors said only one permit can be issued for events and the 10x10 Festival has routinely held one during that event — a little known restriction that surprised even the Parks Commission.
 
The annual Winter Carnival dated back to 1945 and was held in later years at the Controy Pavilion at Burbank Park. A volunteer Winter Carnival Committee each year planned out the well-loved event that featured a carnival queen, a ball, snowshoe and sledding races, golf on the ice, an ice fishing derby, snow sculpture contests, kite flying, and hay wagon rides. Early carnivals were held over several days, but over the years, the number of volunteers, sponsors, and participants shrank. In 2011, the group disbanded and that void hadn't really been filled since.
 
That year, a few local banks attempted to keep it alive but it only lasted that one year. 
 
Tully said the event at Springside Park isn't an attempt to recreate that event, but it is based on a similar premise. She is even considering reaching out to the former Winter Carnival Committee members to see if they have any suggestions.
 
The Springside event will be free and is driven by Springside Conservancy volunteers who just "love" to host those types of things, she said. 
 
This year's event evolved from the conservancy's fundraising and activities subcommittee. That group developed the idea of hosting a series of four events per year — one event per season. The winter event is not intended to be a fundraiser but instead just help drive the interest and momentum behind the park.
 
In the summer, the conservancy is planning out a fundraising event and had hosted a gala in the last two years. Tully said the group is looking to switch that up this coming year. There will also be events scheduled in the spring and fall.

Tags: Springside Park,   winterfest,   

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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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