Pittsfield Announces Community Bike Ride for Berkshire Bike Month

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development Recreation Program, in collaboration with the Berkshire Pike Path Council and Berkshire Bike & Board, will host a Community Bike Ride on Sunday, May 25, at the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.

The bike ride will commence at 10 a.m. from the Crane Ave trailhead, located at 886 Crane Ave. Participants are invited to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for bike decorating and safety checks. Riders can choose between a shorter route to the Berkshire Mall trailhead and back, or a longer route to Farnham's Crossing in Cheshire and return.

This event is free and open to individuals aged 5 and older. Participants are required to bring their own bicycles, and helmets are mandatory for all riders. Families are encouraged to ride together. Frozen treats will be available for those taking part in the ride.

The Community Bike Ride is part of Berkshire Bike Month. A complete list of bike-related events throughout Berkshire County in May can be found at https://linktr.ee/berkshirebikemonth.

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.