Fred Garner Jr. and Tim Garner attended the re-opening of the Fred Garner Park in Pittsfield today.[Photo by Jen Thomas]
Pittsfield – Mayor James M. Ruberto and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and General Electric Co. announced the reopening of Fred Garner Park this morning, more than two years after river cleanup efforts closed the park in January 2005.
"What we’re kicking off really is the completion of the 1 1/2 mile remediation that has taken place, and there's no better place to have a celebration than Fred Garner Park," said Ruberto in his opening remarks.
GE, in collaboration with the EPA, launched an $83 million campaign to rid the stretch of the Housatonic River from the Lyman Street Bridge to the park of PCBs [polychlorinated biphenyls, an outlawed chemical believed to cause cancer and developmental disabilities}. GE's Pittsfield plant used the chemical until 1977, when it was banned, and in 2000, the company agreed to comprehensive remediation and restoration of the Housatonic River.
The park reopening, which benefited from the cleanup by receiving mild changes, highlights the partnership between public and private entities.
"We’re so pleased and proud of the fact that EPA, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the city, GE, PEDA and everyone have worked together in such a professional, cooperative and collaborative way," said Robert W. Varney, EPA’s New England regional administrator.
"I wish I had a nickel for every glib person I've heard say government can’t accomplish anything, or private companies don’t want work with government to accomplish anything, or municipal government can’t get anything done," said Stephen D. Ramsey, GE’s vice-president of environmental programs.
"There is a need in this country, and elsewhere, to recognize the strength and the value of public/private partnerships," he said.
"It's critical for all of us not to be cynical about relationships between industry and business or industry and other special interest groups, because government must be engaged with each and every group and party in order to advance the interests of making the community a better place to live in," said Ruberto.
Fred Garner
Nestled on approximately 10.3 acres, Fred Garner Park now boasts an expanded youth soccer field, a new roadway and parking area, a canoe launch, a walking path along the riverbank, and 1,200 newly-planted trees and shrubs.
Garner's sons Timothy Garner and Fred Garner Jr. said the park was a huge improvement over what it once was.
"We used to call this the pumping station," said Timothy Garner, who lives in Cheshire. "There were parties down here, and it was really run-down."
"Now, they’ve got it all cleaned up and it’s a really big difference," he continued.
"It’s a great tribute to a guy who was committed to his community," said Fred Garner Jr., who lives Pittsfield.
According to Ruberto, Garner "did what we do in the Berkshires – try to improve the quality of life."
Garner worked for the Parks and Recreation department for over 32 years and was co-founder of Wild Acres, a 49-acre preserve in the city that serves as a recreational area for picnicking, fishing, and hiking.
"It's a great place in honor of a great man, a person who served this community so well and a person who has received from the city of Pittsfield the recognition he truly deserves by having this park named after him," said Ruberto.
More To Do
"We know there is still so much that needs to be done and we remain focused on the job at hand to continue our cleanup and to do so in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner," said Varney.
"A huge amount has been accomplished, but we all recognize that more needs to be done," said Ramsey.
The EPA and GE will continue to dredge the remaining portions of the river downstream of Fred Garner park, where the east and west branches merge. Named the “Rest of River†segment, future PCB removal efforts will concentrate on downstream portions of the river in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Celebrating the success of the Fred Garner Park reopening emphasizes the continuing need to work together.
"In the spirit of partnership, we will continue to look for opportunities like Fred Garner Park, where we can improve the environment and protect public health while enhancing community assets simultaneously," said Varney.
Jen Thomas can be reached via e-mail at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at 1-413-663-3384 ext. 29.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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