Comments Accepted on Kirvin Park Ecological Improvements

10:29AM / Friday, July 25, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city of Pittsfield, Housatonic River Natural Resources Trustees, and General Electric Co. are working together on a significant floodplain and habitat restoration and enhancement project at Kirvin Memorial Park, 974 Williams St.

The project will improve the conditions of approximately 17 acres in the floodplain of Sackett and Ashley Brooks in the south end of Kirvin Memorial Park by removing invasive plant species and establishing native vegetation. In addition, existing wetlands will be expanded into a portion of the floodplain area. The invasive plants collectively impair the overall habitat diversity and functions of the ecosystem.

The public is invited to comment on the Final Restoration Design/Restoration Action Plan for Kirvin Memorial Park. A copy of the plan and instructions on how to comment can be found here.

All comments must be received by Sept. 2, 2025, at 5 p.m. Additional information and a recording of the public meeting that occurred in June are also posted on the project website.

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

Tags: invasive species, public parks,

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Pittsfield's Christian Center Seeks Community Input on Services, Name

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:57PM / Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Worker Dionisio Kelly, left, board member Kenny Warren, Executive Director Jessica Jones, and Food and Services Director Karen Ryan.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's a new year, and The Christian Center is looking at how it can serve the area in 2026 and beyond.

This includes a possible new name fueled by community forums in late January and early February.

"We're hoping people will come in and talk about the name, talk about what programs, what services they would like to see from us. What would be most meaningful," Executive Director Jessica Jones said.

"Because the population in this area has changed quite a bit, and we no longer serve just the West Side. We serve people from other parts of Berkshire County. So the hope is just to make it more inclusive."

The Christian Center was a stop on Berkshire Community College and NAACP Berkshires' Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

The nonprofit will hold three input sessions at 193 Robbins Ave. to inform future programs and branding, and ensure that West Side voices are heard.

The sessions will be held on:

Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Feb. 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The center dates back to the early 1890s, when it was the Epworth Mission started by the Methodist Church to serve newly arrived immigrants and help them assimilate. The Christian Center was incorporated in 1974.

Over the decades, it has drifted away from a faith-based organization to a space for anyone who needs a meal, a warm jacket, a place to bring their child, or a meeting place. A space for everyone.

This is what center officials wanted reflected in the name.

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