Pittsfield Wants People to Know Where Free Public Wifi Is
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city wants it to be clear where people can connect to free public wifi— which expands beyond downtown.
On Tuesday, the Parks Commission approved "Free Wifi" signage at The Common, Riverway Park, and Durant Park. Community members can access the internet without charge in these locations, as well as in downtown areas.
Two years ago, Pittsfield received a $99,972 Digital Equity Implementation Grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. This allowed the city to take a comprehensive look at digital equity and determine where to focus attention.
"That was a lengthy process that we worked on, and there was a lot of public input. We did some surveying. We met with a lot of focus groups; [Berkshire Regional Planning Commission] was the group that spearheaded that for us, and one of the things that came up was the lack of accessible wifi," Director of Community Development Justine Dodds reported. "Particularly in the westside."
Throughout this process, residents also wanted to see connectivity at the nearby Westside Riverway Park.
In 2023, Pittsfield was selected to participate in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program launched by the state and MBI, focused on ensuring residents can use the internet to conduct day-to-day activities. A digital equity plan also qualifies Pittsfield for additional grant funding.
Around 16,000 city households qualified for the Federal Communications Commission's affordable internet program that ended in 2024.
Dodds said adding Wi-FI and signage to Durant and Riverway Parks is a small piece of the larger digital equity project. Signage is already downtown, and the city plans to hire the same designer for the expanded wayfinding so it is cohesive.
Chief Information Officer Kevin Zawistowski was included in this process, installing some barriers and a consent screen. Though it is still public, caution is recommended with sensitive data.
Durant Park, a 2.1-acre park at 30 John St., also hosts a 4,750-square-foot playground, basketball court, softball field, picnic area, and sitting areas. It is located in the heart of the West Side neighborhood and is within walking distance of many households.
This is not the only new addition; Pittsfield's third splash pad recently came online in the park. Constructed by Baskin Builders, the outdoor water attraction is button-operated and has a variety of water elements for different ages.
Last year, the City Council accepted a $215,980 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant to install a stormwater treatment system on Francis Avenue and a splash pad at the park.
Commissioners also heard about Pittsfield's upcoming annual Halloween events. Citywide trick-or-treat has been scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Pittsfield's historic parade, now in its 80th year, will be on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. on Tyler Street. It was originally held on North Street and was moved to Tyler Street in 2011.
"This year's parade theme is ‘Futuristic Frights: The Next 80 Years' because this year is the 80th anniversary of the parade," explained Jennifer VanBramer, recreation & special events coordinator.
"So participants are asked to imagine what Halloween and the world might look like 80 years from now. Last year's theme was looking at past parades, so this is kind of looking to the future."
Tags: Internet, parks,
