Parks Commission Walks Through Proposed Pump Track Site

The bike 'pump' track would be constructed by raising funds. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Parks Commission took a stroll through Springside Park on Saturday to review the proposed location of a bike skills park. 

Alison McGee, president of the Berkshire Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association and program lead for the Little Bellas Berkshire Program, pitched the project to the commission last month.

Garrett Pulley of the Berkshire Mountain Bike Training Series and Kevin Delaney of the Shire Shredders also worked on this project.

The commission approved the concept subject to conducting a walkthrough.

The desired location for the park is northeast of the north playground near Reid Middle School.  The park would include a "pump track," which is a continuous loop of contoured and groomed riding surfaces called rollers and berms, and other features.

The purpose of this track is to provide more outdoor recreation in the city and a place where those who enjoy off-road bicycling can "play."

Owner of Powder Horn Trail Co. Will Conroy constructed the plans for the  park and attended the meeting briefly.

At the walkthrough, McGee outlined material options for the pump track. A full dirt pump track would cost around $100,000 and a paved pump track would cost around $200,000.

She explained that even though a paved track would cost more, it would require much less maintenance. She also noted that Powder Horn specializes in "finish work," which includes preserving the natural surroundings of a project.

The project will be paid for by fundraising independent of the city or park, but McGee said they hope local investment group Mill Town Capital will supplement anything they can't raise.

These plans are flexible, she said, such as the actual location of the pump track.

Chairman Anthony DeMartino brought up the conflict of getting running water to the site, saying a pipe would likely have to be run to the site from North Street and could be costly.

The Parks Commission is in support of the plans for the park, but have a few concerns such as maintenance, liability, and getting water access to the site.

These questions will be addressed in the next Parks Commission meeting on Dec. 15.

Dalton Public Safety Advisory Committee Ranks Potential Properties

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:26AM / Saturday, January 04, 2025

Use of town-owned lots near the Senior Center would require a town meeting vote as housing had been designated a priority for the former school property. 

DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Advisory Committee has ranked four properties to consider during its feasibility study on locations for a new police station. Two have existing structures, including a residential property, and the others are vacant lots.

 

The committee ranked the locations based on a quantitative scoring and weighting process, considering the properties' location, projected cost, size, and whether it is purchase or lease and whether it's vacant or has an existing structure. 

 

Jacunski Humes Architects LLC of Berlin, Conn., selected to conduct the study, will assess what is needed for an efficient and accredited public safety facility at each site. This will include cost estimates and consideration of scenarios such as building a new facility on a green site, remodeling an existing building, and demolishing and rebuilding potential sites. 

 

The property that obtained the highest rank was First Congregational Church's addition, which has offices in the basement with a walkout and some offices on the second floor on the south end. 

 

According to committee co-Chair Craig Wilbur, purchasing or leasing the property is up for negotiation. The congregation has the 2,600 square foot space listed on for lease on its website. 

 

There is also the possibility of constructing a building farther to the east of the existing church using some of the green space and parking lot. 

 

The committee is unsure if the parking lot is available for consideration but opted to keep it on the list so the architect could evaluate all the potential options for the property.