Mother Plans Memorial Bench at Clapp Park
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Parks Commission has OK'd a memorial bench for a young man who had many happy memories at Clapp Park.
"I hate this. I lost my son in December to a fatal overdose, and so I am looking to have a memorial bench installed for him at Clapp Park. He was 23 when he passed," said Sarah DeJesus, through tears.
"The first half of his life, we lived in that neighborhood … and so we have so many great memories at Clapp Park."
DeJesus has worked to mitigate health complications from substance use for years as the program manager of Berkshire Harm Reduction. The bench will be placed above the park's splash pad overlooking the area in honor of Premier Ashton DeJesus.
As for cost, DeJesus said she will fund the bench, installation, and associated expenses.
"I've always thought that the top of the hill could use some seating opportunities, and I think this is a perfect opportunity to sort of honor a young person who Clapp Park was very meaningful to him and to the family," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath said.
She and McGrath have selected a durable bench that can be fixed to the concrete, with a plaque on the back.
DeJesus said her son went to summer camp at the park, movie nights, sledding, played sports there, met friends, and gained independence as a child.
"I'm hoping maybe on top of the hill, kind of overlooking the entire park, where people can watch their kids, watch the baseball games, and just kind of take in all that the park has to offer," she told the commission.
Chair Simon Muil seconded that it is a great location for the memorial bench.
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