Pittsfield 2025 Summer Playground Program

07:46AM / Thursday, July 03, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development Recreation Program announces the return of the Summer Playground Program for 2025.

The Summer Playground Program is a free, six-week-long program held at Clapp Park, Durant Park and The Common which offers a wide range of recreation activities to Pittsfield children between the ages of 6 to 13. This year's program will run from July 7 to Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at each designated location at no cost.

If there is inclement weather, the program will move from each park to the Berkshire Family YMCA Pittsfield Branch located at 292 North Street. Details of these changes will be shared on the Pittsfield Parks and Recreation Facebook and Instagram pages.

During the program, Playground Leaders will create safe, supervised and fun-filled outdoor activities including sports, games, arts and crafts and nature activities.

In addition, the Recreation Program is collaborating with various local organizations to offer the following:

The Berkshire Museum's Mobile Museum will visit one of the parks each week.
The Berkshire Athenaeum will be offering summer reading related activities throughout the program at each park.
Pittsfield Public Schools will be providing and serving FREE lunches daily at each park.
The Westside Legends will be hosting a build and design day at all three parks in preparation for their Sweet Gee Soap Box Derby.

For more information, contact Jennifer VanBramer, Recreation and Special Events Coordinator, at jvanbramer@cityofpittsfield.org or (413) 499-9371.

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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