Public Meeting on the Kirvin Memorial Park ecological Improvements

07:50AM / Thursday, June 05, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield, Housatonic River Natural Resources Trustees, and General Electric Co. will be hosting a public meeting on Wednesday, June 11 at 6:00p.m.

This meeting will take place at Herberg Middle School located at 501 Pomeroy Avenue in the auditorium.

At this meeting, the presenters will review the significant floodplain and habitat restoration and enhancement plan for Kirvin Memorial Park. A team of specialists will be working to improve the conditions of approximately 17 acres in the flood plain of Sackett and Ashley Brooks in the south end of Kirvin Memorial Park by removing invasive plant species and establishing native vegetation.

In addition, there are plans to expand wetland conditions in a portion of the floodplain area. These invasive plants collectively impair the overall habitat diversity and functions of the ecosystem.

The public is encouraged to attend to listen to the presentation and provide feedback on the proposal.

This project is slated to start in the fall of 2025. During this project, the park will remain open to the public.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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.

View Full Story