Pittsfield Summer Playground Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development Recreation Program announces the return of the Summer Playground Program for 2024.
 
The Summer Playground Program, a free, six-week-long program held at Clapp Park, Durant Park and the Common, offers a wide range of recreation activities to Pittsfield children between the ages of 6 to 13. This program runs from July 8 to August 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday at each designated location at no cost.
 
If there is inclement weather, the program will move from each park to the Berkshire Family YMCA. Details of these changes will be shared on the Pittsfield Parks and Recreation social media pages.
 
Playground leaders will create safe, supervised and fun-filled outdoor activities including sports, games, arts and crafts and nature activities. In addition, several new activities are planned for this summer's program including:
  • The Berkshire Museum Mobile Unit will visit each park once a week.
  • The Berkshire Athenaeum will be providing books for the children and adventure backpacks (while supplies last).
  • Pittsfield Public Schools will be providing FREE lunches daily.
  • Massachusetts Safe Routes to School will be leading a safety demo the first week of the program.
  • Hosting several Soap Box Derby "build days" in partnership with Blue Q, Interprint, Westside Legends and Berkshire Art Center.
  • 2 field trips will be provided by the Pittsfield Public Schools transportation department with visits to Onota Lake and pickleball courts at Springside Park
For more information, contact Maddy Brown, Recreation and Special Events Coordinator, at mbrown@cityofpittsfield.org or (413) 499-9371.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

BMC Receives Baby-Friendly Designation

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) announced that it has achieved international Baby-Friendly designation after a  review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States. 
 
This demonstrates that BMC is adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the first days of a newborn's life. 
 
According to a press release, the positive health effects of breastfeeding are well documented and widely recognized by health authorities throughout the world. For example, the Surgeon General's 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding stated that "Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant's nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children." 
 
BMC joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, 551 of which are in the United States. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every woman's right to make the best decision for herself and her family.  
 
"BMC has long been a recognized leader in the care of women and newborns," said James Lederer, MD, Berkshire Health Systems Chief Medical Officer/Chief Quality Officer. "This designation is a tribute to our commitment to ensuring that every woman who delivers a baby at our facility is given the resources, information and support needed to help her and her baby get the best, healthiest start in life." 
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