The volunteers adjusted some of the events. The snow painting event went on but on large rolls of paper. More photos from the event can be found here.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Winter Carnival had a snow problem on Saturday.
The problem was there wasn't any.
But that didn't stop the Springside Conservancy from hosting a winter celebration to bring families out to the park.
A few dozen families found their way to Springside Park on Saturday afternoon for a series of games and competition.
"We started this because we wanted kids to come out with families in the park," President Lisa Tully said. "We weren't making money off of this. We just wanted people to come."
The lack of snow caused some alterations to the events. The highly demanded cardboard box sledding competition went on anyway but in the mud. The conservancy was even loaned a snow gun in hopes to make enough snow for a small sledding race.
But, the temperatures overnight were too warm. In the end, the hill had just some slush that quickly turned to slick mud.
"It was really kind of funny seeing the kids go down in the mud. And they didn't seem to mind it," Tully said. "I wish there was snow and it would have probably brought more people. They were probably thinking it wasn't going to happen because it didn't snow. But we made the best of a no snow situation."
The children seemed to enjoy it as they carried their decorated boxes in hopes to win the most creative sled to the top of the hill and cruised down, over and over again. The fastest and the most creative took home prizes.
The ice skating rink had to be scrapped, though. The Fire Department had been on board to create an ice skating rink there, as it had historically done at the First Street Common and Osceola Park. But temperatures held that back, too.
"I was out until 2 in the morning trying to get the ice rink going. The Fire Department was here a long time. They helped us with the snow gun last night," Tully said.
Snow painting was adjusted with large sheets of paper for the children to paint on instead. An array of children's games from golf to bowling went off without a hitch. An obstacle course, scavenger hunt, and dodgeball all went as planned. Berkshire Bike and Board had fat bike demonstrations.
While the weather didn't cooperate, those who did attend had smiles on their faces. And the hope is that maybe some of those families will think of the park on the days when there is snow and go sledding and spend time together at the park. It was the first Winter Carnival since the once-popular event ceased in 2011 after nearly 70 years.
The event was just one of four the conservancy hopes to roll out this year to draw attention to the park. Next up is a 5K running race and beer festival on July 28 sponsored by the Berkshire Running Center.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Pittsfield 2025 Year in Review
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city continued to grapple with homelessness in 2025 while seeing a glimmer of hope in upcoming supportive housing projects.
Founders James Shulman and his wife, Jackie, offered it to the city through a conveyance and donation of property, which was met with some hesitation before it was withdrawn.
Now, a group of more than 50 volunteers learned everything from running the ride to detailing the horses, and it is run by nonprofit Berkshire Carousel Inc., with the Shulmans supporting operating costs.
Median and Camping Petitions
Conversations about homelessness resumed in Council Chambers when Mayor Peter Marchetti proposed a median standing and public camping ban to curb negative behaviors in the downtown area. Neither of the ordinances reached the finish line, and community members swarmed the public comment podium to urge the city to lead with compassion and housing-first solutions.
"If you look at this as a public safety issue, which I will grant that this is entirely put forward as a public safety issue, there are other issues that might rate higher that need our attention more with limited resources," said former Ward 7 councilor Rhonda Serre.
Protesters and public commenters said the ordinance may be framed as a public safety ordinance, but actually targets poor and vulnerable community members, and that criminalizing activities such as panhandling and protesting infringes on First Amendment rights and freedom of speech.
Some housing solutions came online in 2025 amidst the discourse about housing insecurity in Pittsfield.
The city celebrated nearly 40 new supportive units earlier in December. This includes nine units at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
These units are permanent supportive housing, a model that combines affordable housing with voluntary social services.
Pittsfield supported the effort with $750,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds and some Community Development Block Grant funds. Hearthway, formerly Berkshire Housing Development Corp., is managing the apartments and currently accepting applications.
After the Wahconah Park Restoration Committee completed its work with a formal recommendation in 2024, news about the park was quiet while the city planned its next move.
The ice rink was originally proposed for Clapp Park, but when the project was put out to bid, the system came back $75,000 higher than the cost estimate, and the cost estimates for temporary utilities were over budget. The city received a total of $200,000 in donations from five local organizations for the effort.
Last year, there was $18 million committed between grant funding and capital borrowing.
The Parks Commission recently accepted a negotiating rights agreement between the city and longtime summer collegiate baseball team, the Pittsfield Suns, that solidifies that the two will work together when the historic ballpark is renovated.
It remains in effect until the end of 2027, or when a license or lease agreement is signed. Terms will be automatically extended to the end of 2028 if it appears the facility won't be complete by then.
William Stanley Business Park
Site 9, the William Stanley Business Park parcel, formerly described to have looked like the face of the moon, was finished in early 2025, and the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority continues to prepare for new tenants.
Mill Town Capital is planning to develop a mixed-use building on the 16.5-acre site, and housing across Woodlawn Avenue on an empty parcel. About 25,000 cubic yards of concrete slabs, foundations, and pavements had to be removed and greened over.
There is also movement at the Berkshire Innovation Center as it begins a 7,000-square-foot expansion to add an Advanced Manufacturing for Advanced Optics Tech Hub and bring a new company, Myrias, to Pittsfield.
Voters chose new City Council members and a largely new School Committee during the municipal election in November. The council will be largely the same, as only two councilors will be new.
Earl Persip III, Peter White, Alisa Costa, and Kathleen Amuso held their seats as councilors at large. There were no races for wards 1, 3, and 4. Patrick Kavey was re-elected to Ward 5 after winning the race against Michael Grady, and Lampiasi was re-elected to Ward 6 after winning the race against Walter Powell.
Nine candidates ran to fill the six-seat committee. Ciara Batory, Sarah Muil, Daniel Elias, Katherine Yon, Heather McNeice, and Carolyn Barry were elected for two-year terms.
Katherine Nagy Moody secured representation of Ward 7 over Anthony Maffuccio, and Cameron Cunningham won the Ward 2 seat over Corey Walker. Both are new to the council.
In October, Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre stepped down to work for the Pittsfield Public Schools.
In 2025, the city remained challenged by the homelessness crisis, though the development of new supportive housing offered a promising outlook. click for more
The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. click for more
Disrepaired houses at 154 Francis Ave. and 224 Fourth St. will be demolished as part of the city's yearly efforts to address condemned properties. click for more
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Northumberland Road.
click for more
