Springside Park Conservancy Hosts Community Day

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Springside Park Conservancy will present a day of "family fun and outdoor stewardship" on Sept. 23, 2023, in celebration of the organization's 10th anniversary.
 
In the morning, Conservancy partners will join the annual fall park clean up held by the Friends of Springside Park. Volunteers will check in at the North Playground beginning at 9. Gloves, bags, and instructions for litter clean up will be provided.
 
In the afternoon, more than a dozen organizations will present an outdoor fair of guided hiking, bike rides, kids crafts, outdoor activities, demonstrations, face-painting and more on the Springside House campus. 
 
Music will be provided by the Eagles Band and DJ Rob Dwyer. Food will be available from local food trucks. Coupons to defray the cost of food purchase will be given out, funded through a donation by the Conservancy.
 
Springside Park Community Day & Annual Fall Clean Up Schedule: 
 
Sat. Sep 23, 2023
9 a.m. to noon - Clean- Up
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Fun Fair
 
Springside Park is located at 874 North St.
 
Springside Park Conservancy was formed in Sept. 2013 by representatives of four community organizations involved in stewardship and programming at Springside Park. A tax-exempt nonprofit, its governing board is now composed of representatives of ten organizations, local residents, and two advisory city council members.
 
Since its founding, the Conservancy has worked with the community to develop a Master Plan adopted by the City of Pittsfield; successfully advocated for over $3.5 million in public and private investment;  organized and cultivated events  and programming for the public; maintained public garden areas; overseen tree-planting, combated invasive species, and managed seasonal clean up efforts.

Tags: cleanup,   Springside Park,   

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Pontoosuc Under Public Health Advisory

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A blue-green algae bloom was confirmed on Friday at Pontoosuc Lake that may present harmful health effects for users of the lake.
 
The city has issued a health advisory as recommended by the state Department of Public Health for both people and pets. 
 
• Do not swim.
• Do not swallow water.
• Keep animals away.
• Rinse off after contact with water.
 
Warning signs are being posted around the lake.
 
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, occur naturally in lakes and ponds throughout Massachusetts. These microscopic organisms are components of the aquatic food chain. In ordinary circumstances, cyanobacteria cause no apparent harm. However, warmer water temperatures and high nutrient concentrations may induce a rapid increase in their abundance. 
 
This response is commonly called a "bloom" because algal biomass increases to the extent that normally
clear water becomes markedly turbid.
 
Harmful health effects from the bloom can result through skin contact with the algae tainted water, swallowing the water, and when airborne droplets are inhaled. Pets are especially prone to the health effects not only through skin contact, but also by ingesting significant amounts of the toxin by licking their wet fur after leaving the water.
 
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