Pittsfield Expecting Heavy Usage at Renovated Common By Joe Durwin, Pittsfield Correspondent
08:36PM / Wednesday, October 22, 2014 | |
 The Parks Commission is anticipating a large number of requests for use of the renovated Common. |
 Most of Phase 3 is expected to be completed by November; finish work, such as lighting, and the new basketball court will be done in the spring. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The renovated Pittsfield Common will be substantially completed within the coming month, and city park officials are already anticipating a volume of special event requests for the refurbished site.
Parks and Open Spaces Manager James McGrath told the Parks Commission this week that the majority of the multimillion dollar redevelopment of the historic downtown gathering yard will be finished by mid-November, with the exception of a new enlarged basketball court that will need to be laid in the spring.
"Every time I go by there, it looks like it's improving each day," said Chairman Dr. John Herman.
The new construction includes a recently finished bathroom building, a gazebo, sprinkler spray ground, and a performance pavilion, along with additional lighting and some new trees, the latter also slated for next year.
McGrath told the commission the principal reconstruct is on time, and within budget. Next week, a consultant from Minnesota will come to Pittsfield to demonstrate to city grounds staff how to maintain the splash ground area.
"It's all coming together nicely," McGrath told the commissioners.
Now that it has undergone so much improvement, the city is anticipating a wave of upcoming interest in hosting functions in the Common, which has been under extensive construction the past three Summer season.
Even unfinished, the small park has already seen some interest, as the neighboring Zion's Lutheran Church relocated their annual picnic to the yard last month.
"I think there's going to be a lot of demand for events there," said McGrath, noting such requests would go through the typical permitting process used for all special events.
One of the principal activities that could be slated for the Common is Pittsfield's Shakespeare in the Park, which drew more than 1,500 attendees to its debut production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Springside Park in July.
"There has been some talk of Shakespeare in the Park moving to the Common," McGrath said in response to questions from the commissioners, but no formal announcement or event permitting has begun for that at this time.
Due to the anticipated demand for usage because of the new amenities like the stage and restroom facilities, the Parks Commission is encouraging those who wish to hold events in the coming year to submit their requests as soon as possible.
On a smaller scale, some replacement of playground structures will take place at both Dorothy Amos Park and Raymond Crow Playground next week. These refurbishments are being paid for out of a $200,000 grant from the commonwealth combined with some federal Community Development Block Grant funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Other major park projects, such as revamping of the city's basketball courts and some infrastructure improvements at Springside Park, are on hold for the time being awaiting a future city allocation.
Earlier this year, these projects had been included in the city's capital improvement budget, which died on the vine following a disagreement between Mayor Daniel Bianchi and several city councilors about including a new firetruck in the capital plan. It is thought these expenditures will likely be revisited in the fiscal 2016 budget planning.
Earlier this year, these projects had been included in the city's capital improvement budget, which died on the vine following a disagreement between Mayor Bianchi and several city councilors about including a new firetruck in the capital plan. It is thought these expenditures will likely be revisited in the fiscal 2016 budget planning.
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