Pittsfield Announces 2026 Summer Playground Program
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development Recreation Program announces the return of the Summer Playground Program for 2026.
The Summer Playground Program is a free, six-week-long, program held at Clapp Park, Durant Park and The Common that 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 6 to August 14 with new hours from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at each designated location. There is no cost to participate in the program.
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 supervise safe and enjoyable outdoor activities at each site including sports, games, arts and crafts and nature activities. In addition, the program is partnering with various organizations to offer the following:
- Community health workers from Volunteers in Medicine will be present at each park during the first and second week of the program to assist families with registration and provide interpretation services in Spanish.
- The Massachusetts Department of Transportation's (MassDOT) Safe Routes to School program will be visiting the three parks throughout the summer to offer bike safety demos, bike traffic garden events, and a bike rodeo.
- The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will be visiting each park to offer an EnviroScape demonstration activity during the second week of the program.
- The Berkshire Athenaeum will be offering summer reading related activities at each park during the program.
- Pittsfield Public Schools (PPS) will be providing and serving free lunches daily at each park. Snacks will also be provided by PPS for program participants.
No pre-registration is necessary, but parents or guardians must fill out a registration form on their child's first day of attendance with a Playground Leader on-site.
For more information, contact Jennifer VanBramer, Recreation and Special Events Coordinator, at jvanbramer@pittsfieldma.gov or (413) 499-9371.
