 Pittsfield Parks Commission Sees Design for Springside Bike ParkThe bike park would cover 2.3 acres on the former baseball field behind the North playground. An abutting location was originally proposed and approved but the commission later requested that it be moved South.  Springside Park Group May Suspend Cleanups After Needle PunctureEsther Anderson spoke for the Springside Park Conservancy — which the friends group are members of — at last week's Parks Commission meeting when the news was announced.  Pittsfield Solicitor Says Bike Track Consistent With Springside Park UsesDuring the Parks Commission meeting, he said the city solicitor had made the determination that the bike skills course is not a violation of use for the park and backed the Conservation Commission's ruling that it poses no environmental risks from a conservation standpoint.  Pittsfield Council Leaves Springside Pump Track Proposal to Parks CommissionA petition from Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Maffuccio requesting to hold a public forum on the potential project was not passed.  Pittsfield Parks Commission Awaits Con Comm Finding on Bike TrackThe Conservation Commission then tabled the RDA because of confusion related to the two possible locations for the pump track and requested clarification from the applicants before voting.  Pittsfield Parks Commission Suggests New Location for Pump TrackThe Parks Commission continues to mull the possibility of a 2.3-acre pump track and bike skills course at Springside Park, suggesting Tuesday it be moved to the southern part of the site.  Parks Commission Holds Public Hearing for Springside Pump TrackBefore the meeting, the Parks Commission and project representatives visited the site with community members to give an overview of the bike skills park design.  32 Annual Friends of Springside Park Clean UpThis year marks 40 years of consecutive spring clean up efforts by different organizations and volunteers dating back to 1981.  Pittsfield Parks Commission Endorses Plan to Rid Parks of CampersThe Parks Commission on Tuesday unanimously accepted and endorsed a draft action plan to address overnight camping in the parks under its commission policy. This policy addresses the influx of homeless individuals who began seeking shelter most popularly at Springside Park in the summer of 2020.  Pittsfield Parks Commission Continues to Support Springside Pump TrackAfter being prompted to pause the Springside Park pump track and bike skills facility project until in-person meetings can resume, the Parks Commission unanimously voted to continue with the process and encouraged additional public input.  Community Members Raise Concern About Proposed Springside Pump TrackThe Parks Commission has received a number of emails from community members regarding the possible impacts a pump track may have on the historic site.  Springside Pump Track Survey Shows Support for the ProjectNinety-six percent of responses were positive, while four expressed concern. McGee said that overall, 91 percent of survey takers voted in favor of the bike skills park.  Parks Commission OKs Location of Springside Pump TrackOn Tuesday evening, the commission approved the location and concept for a bike skills track at Springside Park subject to additional public input. Due to project timelines, this was a special meeting called outside of the commission's usual meeting times.  Parks Commission Walks Through Proposed Pump Track SiteAlison McGee, president of the Berkshire Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association and program lead for the Little Bellas Berkshire Program, pitched the project to the commission last month. |
