 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.  Adams Parks Commission to Address Russell Field VandalismThe commission read a report last week from the Department of Public Works that stated the brand-new tennis/pickleball courts have already been vandalized.  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.  Adams Parks Commission to Allow More Events This SummerThe Parks Commission on Monday determined, regarding the use of parks for the summer, "it is the intent of the town of Adams to restore normal use to the fields as soon as possible."  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 Begins Draft Plan to Empty City ParksActions include installing new signage and increased awareness of park rules, cleaning abandoned sites and monitoring for new ones, leaving "friendly written reminders" of the overnight camping rules at sites, and circulating community reminders on the best ways to direct goodwill to those in need.  Lions Club Making Donation to Improve Russell Field LightingThe field renovation project did include repairing existing lights, but with the recent news of a potential donor, Director of Public Works Robert Tober said the town explored installing more efficient LED lights.  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.  Pittsfield Parks Panel Wants 'Blue Lives Matter' Flag RemovedThe Parks Commission is asking the Kiwanis Club to remove two flags — one of which has become linked to white supremacy — from its Park of Honor on Park Square.  Pittsfield Parks Commission Sets Date to Evacuate HomelessThe commission will be evacuating the park by Dec. 1 in hopes these individuals will choose to relocate to the recently reopened COVID-19 shelter at the former St. Joseph's high school on Maplewood Avenue.  Pittsfield Iraq/Afghanistan Memorial On Target To Be Unveiled Sep. 11A monument honoring the five Berkshire County residents who died serving in Iraq and Afghanistan is still on track to be unveiled at Veterans Way Park on Sept. 11, the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.  Pittsfield Parks Redirect Springside Park DonationsThe Parks Commission approved a draft statement on Tuesday that would redirect donations for the homeless in Springside Park toward service providers.  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. |
