WASHINGTON, D.C. – Berkshire Bike Path and Great Barrington Trails have been selected to receive assistance from the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, according to U.S. Rep. John Olver, D-Amherst, and the Park Service.
The applications were supported by the Berkshire Bike Path Council and the Alliance for a Healthier Great Barrington. They were selected from the most competitive field of requests ever received by the agency and were two of only 10 new projects accepted in New England, New York and New Jersey.
"I am very pleased to hear that the National Park has recognized the good work of the Berkshire Bike Path Council and Great Barrington Trails,†Olver said. “With the support of the National Park Service, these groups will be able to help us all further celebrate the distinctive landscapes of Berkshire County."
"The National Park Service is proud to support such capable partners and eager to help contribute to the Berkshire's network of trails and greenways," said Steve Golden, NPS Rivers and Trails trogram manager.
The Berkshire Bike Path Council is spearheading an effort to promote cycling and the creation of regional bike trail network as part of the region’s tourism, public health and transportation goals. Over the next year the National Park Service Rivers and Trails staff will assist in trail planning and development and help identify preferred alignments in North Adams, Adams, Williamstown and Pittsfield.
The Great Barrington Trails project, sponsored by the Great Barrington Land Conservancy and the Alliance for a Healthier Great Barrington, will help develop a model townwide trail network that celebrates the town's natural and cultural history; promotes community public health; and links with regional trails, including the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The National Park Service will provide trail planning and design consultation and will identify possible funding sources for trail construction and restoration.
Through the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, the Park Service helps communities and neighborhoods preserve their important local resources, protect river resources, develop new trails and greenways and create new open space. These projects are locally-led with RTCA staff supporting local recreation and conservation leaders.
This year, 30 projects were selected as Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance recipients in the eight states across New England and New York and New Jersey. In 2006-7, RTCA efforts helped 125 communities leverage $65 million in funds for targeted projects.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant
Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building.
"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu.
A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building.
White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.
He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns.
Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot.
A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use.
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