BRPC Launches Outdoor Recreation Website

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's new outdoor recreation website connects residents and visitors with the county landscape while promoting the region.

On Monday, BerkshiresOutside.org was launched with more than 550 access points to trailheads, boat launches, parks, and more. It will serve as a companion to 1Berkshire's tourism website Berkshires.org.

"I think the idea here is to try and make available information about everything that there is to do outdoors in the Berkshires," BRPC's Assistant Director Laura Brennan said. "There's a lot more than people realize."

Built by Gemini Creative of Stockbridge, the user-friendly website allows filtering by location, activity, and preferences and includes an interactive map of the county. Filters allow users to tailor their search for specific needs such as dog-friendly locations or places near public transit.

Most of the experiences are free but some, such as golf facilities, have charges.

Brennan explained that being a region with so many outdoor recreation options can be a part of a person's decision to make a life here and is an increasingly large part of why people vacation in the Berkshires.  

"We've had a reputation of course for arts and culture for a long time but that's always been in the beautiful natural setting of the region and as the marketing of the Berkshire's evolved, it has included more and more about what there is to do actively outdoors," she said.

"And that helps that helps us to attract visitors that maybe come with families or stay longer and do lots of different things."

With this, visitors can have a well-rounded trip filled with theaters, museums, and fresh air.

"We both really enjoy outdoor recreation and so getting asked to explore some of these sites has been a great opportunity but it's also something I think we're going to use ourselves. Personally. I want to go hiking this weekend. Where do I go? Well, pull up the map and see what's in the area we want to go to."

The website has been under construction for a year and is about three years in the making.  A number of outdoor recreation stakeholders including 1Berkshire, the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation were consulted.

"We're very pleased with the results so far and the response from the outdoor recreation industry has been really positive," Brennan said.

The primary source of funding was through a state earmark and there have been several smaller funding sources.

ServiceNet Cuts Ribbon on Vocational Farm to 'Sow Seeds of Hope'

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:30AM / Saturday, May 18, 2024

Lori Carnute plants flowers at the farm and enjoys seeing her friends. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Smiles were all around as farmers, human service workers, and officials cut the ribbon Friday on ServiceNet's new vocational farm on Crane Avenue.

Whether it is planting flowers or growing fresh produce, the program is for "sowing seeds of hope" for those with developmental disabilities.

"What Prospect Meadow Farm is about is changing lives," Vice President of Vocational Services Shawn Robinson said.

"Giving people something meaningful to do, a community to belong to, a place to go every day and to make a paycheck, and again, I am seeing that every day from our first 17 farmhands the smiles on their faces. They're glad to be here. They're glad to be making money."

Prospect Meadow Farm Berkshires held a launch event on Friday with tours, music, snacks, and a ribbon cutting in front of its tomato greenhouse. The nonprofit human service agency closed on the former Jodi's Seasonal on Crane Avenue earlier this year.  

It is an expansion of ServiceNet's first farm in Hatfield that has provided meaningful agricultural work, fair wages, and personal and professional growth to hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since opening in 2011.

Eventually, the farm will employ 50 individuals with developmental disabilities year-round and another 20 to 25 local folks supporting their work.

The pay is a great aspect for Billy Baker, who is learning valuable skills for future employment doing various tasks around the farm. He has known some of the ServiceNet community for over a decade.

"I just go wherever they need me to help," he said. "I'm more of a hands-on person."