24th Annual Bike Month Announced

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — This May, the Berkshire Bike Path Council will be holding their 24th annual Bike Month series of
events, in conjunction with Massachusetts Bike Month. 
 
Bike activities are offered for every level and every age of cyclists.
 
Bike Rodeos are a great opportunity for young riders to learn safety tips and check their equipment while decorating their bikes and taking on the rodeo challenge. A Rodeo will be open to the public during First Fridays at Five in Pittsfield, at the parking lot on Renee Ave across from the Lichtenstein Center. 
 
On May 9, the Downtown Pittsfield Mural Ride will be a casual- pace ride with the opportunity to learn about the public art that decorates downtown Pittsfield.
 
Go by Bike Week, from May 10-16, is designed to encourage everyone to ride whatever distance and at whatever speed they are comfortable. Pledge your ride online here to be entered in a prize drawing at the end of the week. 
 
On Wednesday May 13, ride your bike to downtown Pittsfield between 7 - 9am for the Bike Breakfast. Free food is available to anyone arriving by bike. 
 
The City of Pittsfield and Department of Conservation and Recreation are offering a community ride for all ages on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail on May 23. Safety tips and equipment will be available.
 
These events are made possible by the cooperation and support of several partners - Safe Routes to School, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., the City of Pittsfield, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshire Bike and Board, Berkshire Health Systems, MassBike and BBPC volunteers. Events are all free. For more information, email nrusso@berkshireplanning.org or call (413) 212-7998.
 
If You Go:
Friday, May 1 in Pittsfield – Bike Rodeo with AAA, Safe Routes to School at First Fridays at Five. Rodeo will be held in the Palace Park parking lot; enter from Renee Ave, across from the Lichtenstein Center. Parking is recommended in the First Street lot.
 
Friday, May 8 in Pittsfield – Conte Elementary Bike Bus, 8am (Volunteer chaperones needed) Contact Nick Russo at nrusso@berkshireplanning.org if you would like to volunteer.
 
Saturday, May 9 in Pittsfield – Downtown Mural Bike Tour, 3 -  5pm Starts & Ends at Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School Street, Pittsfield
 
All week long, May 10-16 – Go by Bike Week! Share your ride here to be entered into a prize drawing.
 
Wednesday, May 13: Downtown Bike Breakfast, 7-9 am Dunham Mall, between City Hall and North Street. RSVP requested here to help order enough food.
 
Thursday, May 14: Conte Elementary Bike Rodeo (for students and families), 5:30 - 7pm (Rain Date: Thursday, May 21) Email Renee MacKay at renee.mackay@aecom.com if you would like to volunteer.
 
Saturday, May 23: Ashuwillticook Community Ride, 10am(Rain Date: Saturday, May 24) Starts at Crane Ave trailhead in Pittsfield.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Considers Repairing East Part Cemetery

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Historical Commission will consider grant opportunities for repairs to East Part Cemetery.

A resident reached out to the city with concerns about degradation in the half-acre burial ground at the top of Williams Street. East Part Cemetery was established in the early 1800s and has about 300 interments. 

“It's a nice old cemetery, and basically, (the resident) had had concerns that the stone wall had taken some damage, the gravestones have taken some damage, and was wondering if there's anything that could be done to repair the gravestones and the wall," City Planner Kevin Rayner told the commission on Monday.

In cooperation with cemetery leadership and residents, the Historical Commission will consider applying for Community Preservation Act funds to support repairs. West Part Cemetery, on the other side of Pittsfield, has previously used CPA funds for revitalization work. 

The 1080 Williams St. property is owned by the city and managed by the Pittsfield Cemetery Commission. Rayner presented photos of broken and overgrown gravestones, parts of the stone wall collapsing, and knocked-over obelisks. 

Some aspects could use general maintenance and restoration, he observed. 

According to the Pittsfield Cemetery and Crematory's website, East Part Cemetery was established around 1808 on land owned by Nathan Webb, who permitted and authorized its use as a public burying ground.  

In 1842, Nathan Webb's son, also named Nathan Webb, deeded the property to the Methodist Episcopal Society of Pittsfield as a public burying ground, and in 1893 the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Society transferred their control of the cemetery to the Proprietors of the Pittsfield Cemetery. Their action was confirmed by the Berkshire Probate Court.

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