BRPC Launches Outdoor Recreation Website

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's new outdoor recreation website connects residents and visitors with the county landscape while promoting the region.

On Monday, BerkshiresOutside.org was launched with more than 550 access points to trailheads, boat launches, parks, and more. It will serve as a companion to 1Berkshire's tourism website Berkshires.org.

"I think the idea here is to try and make available information about everything that there is to do outdoors in the Berkshires," BRPC's Assistant Director Laura Brennan said. "There's a lot more than people realize."

Built by Gemini Creative of Stockbridge, the user-friendly website allows filtering by location, activity, and preferences and includes an interactive map of the county. Filters allow users to tailor their search for specific needs such as dog-friendly locations or places near public transit.

Most of the experiences are free but some, such as golf facilities, have charges.

Brennan explained that being a region with so many outdoor recreation options can be a part of a person's decision to make a life here and is an increasingly large part of why people vacation in the Berkshires.  

"We've had a reputation of course for arts and culture for a long time but that's always been in the beautiful natural setting of the region and as the marketing of the Berkshire's evolved, it has included more and more about what there is to do actively outdoors," she said.

"And that helps that helps us to attract visitors that maybe come with families or stay longer and do lots of different things."

With this, visitors can have a well-rounded trip filled with theaters, museums, and fresh air.

"We both really enjoy outdoor recreation and so getting asked to explore some of these sites has been a great opportunity but it's also something I think we're going to use ourselves. Personally. I want to go hiking this weekend. Where do I go? Well, pull up the map and see what's in the area we want to go to."

The website has been under construction for a year and is about three years in the making.  A number of outdoor recreation stakeholders including 1Berkshire, the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation were consulted.

"We're very pleased with the results so far and the response from the outdoor recreation industry has been really positive," Brennan said.

The primary source of funding was through a state earmark and there have been several smaller funding sources.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.