Pittsfield Announces North Street Re-design Open House

07:57AM / Friday, April 04, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield invites residents, business owners, and community members to attend the North Street re-design open house on Wednesday, April 9, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Onota Building located at 74 North Street (first floor).

This initiative aims to transform North Street into a street that ensures safe, comfortable access for all modes of travel and creates space for community interaction, culture, and commerce. This open house will be an opportunity for community members to help shape the future of the downtown.

At the Open House, attendees will:

Learn about the vision, goals, and planning timeline for the project
Review previous and ongoing improvements
Provide input on how North Street can better serve all users
Explore design alternatives and placemaking ideas

This open house is intended to be a drop in opportunity with interactive planning activities. No formal presentation will be provided. The current Planning Study phase runs through June 2025, followed by design and with construction slated for in summer 2026.

For more information, contact Commissioner Morales at rmorales@cityofpittsfield.org or by calling 413-499-9330.

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

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