Pittsfield Disc Golf Course Jumps Second Hoop

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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Parks and Recreation Director James McGrath presented the idea to the Conservation Commission on Thursday.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The proposed disc golf course at Kirvin Park jumped another hoop Thursday after the Conservation Commission gave their approval.

The proposal faced questions of how it would "co-exist" with other usages at the park and future uses. Parks and Recreation Director James McGrath told the commission that the course is mostly laid out in a portion of the park that is currently not mowed or maintained so it shouldn't disrupt anything.

"It's a minimally invasive layout," McGrath said. "We really feel disc golf can exist without conflict with other activities."

Commissioners questioned the extent it would be used and need for maintenance and while McGrath said there have been no surveys performed, the sport is rising in popularity and parks across the country are making courses.


"I have a feeling this will be well used," he said.

McGrath said the area is not likely to need mowing because of the foot traffic. The course is set up on an area that is currently only mowed once a year.

In other business, the commission agreed to extend the conditions on the Pontoosuc Lake draw down. The lake is drawn down every winter. Every three years, it has a "deep draw down" of 5 feet and every other year it is drawn down 3 1/2 feet.

The deep drawdowns have been adopted by the city and the town of Lanesborough to help fight milfoil, a weed that had been increasing in density. The deep drawdown exposes the land under the swimming areas to the winter elements and kills the roots.


Tags: conservation commission,   parks & rec,   

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ServiceNet Warming Center Hosted 126 People This Winter

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

ServiceNet manages the warming shelter next to the church. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — ServiceNet's warming center has provided more than heat to unhoused individuals over the last four months and will run to the end of April.

It opened on Dec. 1 in the First United Methodist Church's dining area, next to ServiceNet's 40-bed shelter The Pearl. The agency has seen 126 individuals utilize the warming center and provided some case management to regulars.

While this winter was a success, they are already considering next winter.

"I've been on this committee many years now. There's probably only a few months out of the year that I don't talk about winter, so I'm always trying to plan for next winter," Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, told the Homelessness Advisory Committee on Wednesday.

"We are in this winter and I'm already thinking what's going to happen next winter because I want to be really clear, winter shelter is never a given. We don't have this built into the state budget. It's not built into our budget, so there is always trying to figure out where we get money, and then where do we go with winter shelter."

She pointed out that warming centers are "very different" from shelters, which have a bed. The warming center is set up like a dining room, open from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., and folks are welcome to stay for breakfast.

"We are asking people to come in, get warm, be out of the elements," Forbush explained.

The warming center will close on April 30.

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