 Homeless Encampments Springing Up in Pittsfield ParksParks and Open Space Manager James McGrath fielded some of the parks commissioners' questions and concerns Tuesday about the influx of the homeless in the city parks — most notably in Springside Park.  Pittsfield Parks Commission Review Phase Three EventsThe Parks Commission has preliminary approved a group of events and started the conversation about what events will look like in Phases 3 and 4 of the state's reopening.  Pittsfield Suns Cancel SeasonParks and Open Spaces Manager James McGrath told the Parks Commission on Wednesday that he recently received a letter from the Pittsfield Suns stating that the team will not participate in the 2020 season.  Space Is Tight For Adams Softball LeaguesLast year's news of a half-million dollar renovation of Russell Field was welcome to everyone who has used the rapidly deteriorating field. That's the good news. Problems begin when the town has to cram three different softball organizations into one field while Russell is undergoing construction.  Maxymillian to Donate to Doyle Athletic Complex Dugout RepairParks and Open Spaces Manager James McGrath told the Parks Commission on Tuesday that Maxymillion, the chosen contractor for the project, will cover the cost of the project.  Pittsfield to Enforce Park Vegetation RemovalWinn said downed wood is important to the ecosystem and helps store carbon creating a resilience against climate change. She added that the downed wood also acts as "sign posts" for critters.  Pittsfield Environmental Group Looks to Eradicate Invasive KiwiThe Parks Commission voted Tuesday to move the Greenagers initiative to CPA project eligibility review.  North Adams Parks Commissioners Open to New Duties, MembersThe Parks & Recreation Commission is hoping for more support as its asked to take on a bigger role in overseeing the city's recreational areas.  Pittsfield Parks Commission Sees Possible Future ProjectsParks and Open Spaces Manager James McGrath gave the Parks Commission a quick preview of some possible fiscal 2020 Community Preservation Act projects and noted the floating dock at Burbank Park is at the top of his list.  Westside Riverway Park to Go Back Out to BidThe Westside Riverway Park project bids have come in too high and the city will have to put the project back out to bid.  Adams Parks Commission Sets Fall Season Field UsesThe Parks Commission on Monday took care of most of the fall requests for field usage. Four separate groups were represented and although a few issues cropped up, all requests were approved.  Wetlands Derails Restoration of Pontoosuc BeachWetland issues have derailed planned improvements to Pontsoosuc Lake Park. The Friends of Pontoosuc Lake received $15,000 from the Community Preservation Act with the intent to restore the beach on the Hancock Road side. The city's Parks, Open Space and Natural Resource Program Manager Jim McGrath, however, said it was found that the former beach has essentially turned into wetlands.  Pittsfield Looks to Strengthen Rules on Park BehaviorThe Parks Commission is looking to strengthen the rules for both park and conservation areas. The city recently saw large groups of youth causing mayhem in Springside Park by fighting and using air rifles. The city is now added language to specifically outlaw those and BB guns to strengthen Police authority to enforce the rules.  Restoration of Springside Pond Plan Moves To Permitting ProcessThe design efforts to restore the Springside Pond is entering the permitting phase. Parks and Open Spaces Manager Jim McGrath updated the Parks Commission on Tuesday about the progress and said the city will be seeking permits from the Conservation Commission in the coming weeks. However, the project itself is going to be costly and a funding source has not been identified.  Pittsfield Council Asked To Contribute More Toward Clapp Park ProjectAfter bids came in too high twice, the City Council is being asked to up the city's contribution toward the renovation of Clapp Park. The city had received a $400,000 state grant to undertake a massive restoration of the West Housatonic Street park. That was matched by city funds for bathrooms, the community preservation act funding, $180,000 donation from the Rotary Club, and a $5,000 donation from Carr Hardware.  Adams Parks Commission Mulls Procedures to Deny Field UseThe commissioners on Monday looked to codify past practices and to shore up a protocol that would clearly spell out a chain of command to follow when teams have to be denied field usage after approval.  Dog Feces Also Plague Adams Playing FieldParks Commissioner Cynthia Bird told the rest of the commissioners Monday night that poop is a townwide issue and even litters the outfield of Russell Field.  Williamstown Parks & Rec Committee Learns of Spruces Land ConstraintsThe Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee learned about the town-owned properties that could potentially be developed for recreation. And it learned why one large, highly accessible property likely won't be developed any time soon.  North Adams Parks Commission Asks For Changes in Brayton Park PlansThe plans include a new playground, basketball court, youth baseball field, soccer-sized multi-use field, practice wall, walking path and parking area. Across Brayton Terrace on the Hoosic River side will be two pocket parks, picnic tables, information panels on the river and wildlife and a focal element that would be a replication of a waterwheel.  Berkshire Lightscape Turns Focus To Lighting Up Park SquareBerkshire Lightscapes is honing in on a plan to add lighting to Park Square. The non-profit raised a little more than $100,000 for its plan to add lighting to City Hall, Dunham Mall, and Park Square. The Dunham Mall lights were added in the winter, decorating the walkway with rotating snowflakes, and Park Square is next.  Pittsfield Animal Control Commission Backs Pilot Dog Park PlanThe Animal Control Commission is backing the idea of having a pilot dog park at the East Street softball complex. The city's Office of Community Development has proposed the idea of using one of the fields there to test out a dog park. The city had started the process of securing funding and building a dog park but that is at least another year out. So for now, the city is looking to use the fields that haven't been used in some two years in the meantime.  Pittsfield Looks to Crack Down on Off-leash Dogs in Kirvin ParkThe Parks Commission wants to crack down on off-leash dogs at Kirvin Park. The park off of Williams Street had long been used by dog owners as a place to let their four-legged friends run off leash. However, dogs are required to be on leash in a city park and the increasing use of the park of dogs has led to problems.  Pittsfield Eyes Development of Pickleball Courts at Springside ParkPickleball put the city in a somewhat of a pickle. The Parks Commission approved a plan to develop pickleball courts near the Doyle Softball Complex in Springside Park but not without opposition. The approval goes against the Springside Park Conservancy's wishes that the project takes a backburner to others specifically outlined in the park's master plan.  Pittsfield Little League Looks to Spruce Up Deming ParkThe Little League is looking to spruce up Deming Park. Greg Coscia has begun conversations with the city to make a number of improvements to the park. First, the league wants to make railings leading to the scorekeepers building permanent. Those were installed prior to the district tournament when stairs were replaced and repaired. Coscia hopes to put a taller fence behind it to make it more difficult for trespassers to get in.  North Adams Considering Consolidation of Recreation BoardsThe parks commission oversees all the sports facilities and public parks in the city but not Windsor Lake or Historic Valley Campground. It also doesn't have much to do with the Armory or the Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink. |
| More Stories |
Send news, tips, press releases and questions to info@iBerkshires.com
Send sports news to sports@iBerkshires.com
Send sports news to sports@iBerkshires.com