Third Splash Pad Proposed for Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is poised to have three splash pads.

Before the Conservation Commission is a notice of intent application from the city for a 700-square-foot, circular concrete splash pad at Durant Park. At the applicant's request, it was continued last week.

Full cost estimates have not been completed but based on recent repairs made to the Clapp Park splash pad, it is estimated to cost between $350,000 and $450,000.

Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath reported that once local wetland permitting is completed, design work and detailed cost estimates will be finalized and the city will begin to identify appropriate funding sources.

He hopes to have it under construction within a year.  

The parcel is bordered by the West Branch of the Housatonic River Reservoir and contains a riverfront area and land subject to flooding. This requires an OK from the Conservation Commission.

The 2.1-acre park at 30 John Street currently hosts a 4,750-square-foot playground, basketball court, softball field, picnic area, and sitting areas. Visitors would be able to cool off on the splash pad located between existing playground structures with asphalt sidewalks connecting them.

The splash pad would connect to existing municipal water with service connections in the rear of the existing maintenance building. Two drain inlets would direct water into an existing manhole and no additional lighting is proposed.

Located in the heart of the West Side neighborhood, it will provide relief from the summer heat within walking distance of many households.

23 Years Later, Berkshire Communities Remember 9/11

By Brittany Polito & Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:28PM / Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Dalton officials are joined by police, firefighters and community members at Sept. 11 observances outside Town Hall on Tuesday.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Around 50 people gathered in Veterans Memorial Park to mark the 23rd anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, when attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon left nearly 3,000 people dead, thousands wounded, and launched two of the nation's longest wars.

 

Mayor Peter Marchetti described it as "a day that most of us would probably like to forget." When he woke up this morning, the clear skies and sunshine eerily reminded him of the weather on that tragic day. 

 

"There's been a number of these years that the weather is almost exactly the same to remind us of that treacherous day that we all were surprised," he added. 

 

"You know, growing up in this generation, knowing all of the folks that say, 'Do you remember where you were when President Kennedy was shot?' Now my generation has 'Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001?'" 

 

Five Berkshire County soldiers lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars: Sgt. 1st Class Daniel H. Petithory, 32, of Cheshire; Spc. Michael R. DeMarsico II, 20, of North Adams; and Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24, of Dalton, all in Afghanistan; and Sgt. Glenn R. Allison, 24, of Pittsfield, and Chief Warrant Officer Stephen M. Wells, 29, of North Egremont, in Iraq.

 

The ceremony took place around the city's Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial, dedicated four years ago to honor the men and others lost. A time capsule was buried at the monument with items that were provided by their family members and will be opened in 2101.

 

Brian Willette, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and an Army veteran, said it is "our first duty to remember and to never allow the public or even ourselves to forget the significance of today and what happened next."