A swampy area of the grounds is taped off at Wahconah Park.
Update at 3:53 p.m.: Police say the remains were collected by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and that they were in an advanced state of decomposition. No identification has been made.
A city employee who was cutting brush in the park made the discovery but that location is not part of the baseball field.
The detective bureau is investigating and police said there is no indication of any threat to the general public.
Anyone who can provide information is asked to call 413-448-9705. Information can also be provided anonymously via 413-448-9706, or by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411).
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are investigating human remains found Tuesday on the grounds of Wahconah Park.
A swampy area between the parking lot and the park on Wahconah Street was taped off after a late morning call from the Parks Department reporting the find.
"We were called by the Parks Department," Police Cpt. Matthew Kirchner said. "We're investigating. We have a deceased party."
He said parks workers were doing routine maintenance when the body was found at approximately 11 a.m.
iBerkshires was on the scene at about 1:15 p.m. and police said no further information could be released at that time about the identity, age or gender of the remains. Police were waiting for the medical examiner to arrive.
Police would not confirm or deny a report about the condition of the remains.
"We are waiting for the medical examiner's office," Kirchner said. "There will be an investigation done."
The taped area around where the body was found is blocked off from the public but the park and the parking lot remain open. The area appears not far from open space and is next to a baseball backdrop, which is also taped off.
The patrol division, Crime Scene Services and the detective bureau were on the scene.
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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.
Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.
Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.
"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."
The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.
"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.
She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.
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