The new playground on Winter Street was vandalized during the Christmas break.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Only one month after installing a brand new playground at Ray Crow Park, vandals have damaged the equipment.

 

Parks and Open Space Manager James McGrath told the Parks Commission on Tuesday that the park was defaced just a few days after Christmas. The Winter Street park had been rebuilt just a month before.

 

"Just a few days after Christmas, the playground was tagged heavily and a fire was lit in the brand-new tube slide," McGrath said.

 

The slide will be replaced and city's maintenance department will clean up the graffiti.

 

The city used some $200,000 from state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and $50,000 from the federal Community Development Block Grant program to renovate Ray Crow and Dorothy Amos Parks. 

 

McGrath encouraged residents to call the police when they see activity in the parks after hours, when most of the problems occur. 

 

"We all need to be mindful of who is in our parks and what's happening to them," he said.

 

In other business, McGrath said his department will be asking the City Council this year for $500,000 to start construction on Springside House.

 

A feasibility study was completed last year and projects at the building identified. McGrath said foundation work and some exterior repairs are at the top of the priority list for the city and he hopes the $500,000 can be leveraged for state or federal grants to do that work.

 

"We have two projects that are kind of ready to go," McGrath said. "You really can't do anything without the commitment of a local share."

 

The house is mothballed and closed off to the public right now.

 

McGrath also reported that he is starting to look again at the long-range plans for the city's parks and open spaces. The reports are needed in order to reel in funding from some grant programs.

 

Recreation Activities Coordinator Rebecca Manship reported to the Parks Commission that the annual North Pole calling program was a success and so was the first of four free skating sessions at the Boys and Girls Club.

 

Ice skating is free for the first 100 people on Jan. 24 and 31st as well as Feb 21 at 2 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club. 

 

She also reported that the rope tow won't be operational until there is a heavier snowfall. And she is working on a partnership with the Albany (N.Y.) Devils professional hockey team to give city residents a discount on tickets later this season. The Devils play at the Times Union Center.