6 open space & recreation and natural resource ... - City of Pittsfield

Planning to T hrive: Cit y o f P i t t s f i e l d M a s t e r P l a n / ma r ch 2 0 0 9

6 Open Space & Re creation and Natural Resource Prote ction

P l anning to T hrive: City of P i t t s f i e l d M a s t e r P l a n / m a rc h 2 0 0 9 160

Funding for the Open Space Planning was provided by the City of Pittsfield and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Smart Growth Technical Assistance Grant Program. This document was formatted for doubled-sided printing. Please consider the environment before you print.

Planning to T hrive: Cit y o f P i t t s f i e l d M a s t e r P l a n / ma r ch 2 0 0 9 161

Op en Space & Re creation and Natural R esour ce Protection

According to the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services, the term “open space” is often used to refer to conservation land, recreation land, agricultural land, forest land, corridor parks and amenities such as small parks, green buffers along roadways or any open area that is owned by an agency or organization dedicated to conservation. However, the term can also refer to undeveloped land with particular conservation or recreation interest. Open space can be used for passive activities such as walking, hiking, and nature study or for more active recreational uses including soccer, tennis, or baseball. While Pittsfield values its open spaces, the city recognizes the challenges of commercial, industrial and residential development. The quality of life for all of Pittsfield’s residents is greatly enriched by the quality of the open space in the city, whether the space can be enjoyed for recreational activity or conserved to protect wildlife habitat and sensitive natural resources. Thoughtful planning and active stewardship are needed to preserve and maintain our valued natural resources. Without planning, the appearance of a community, the lifestyle of its residents, and the condition of its natural resources can be dramatically altered due to illconceived changes in land use patterns. Open space provides critical habitat and corridors for wildlife and plants, protects important water supplies, provides areas for recreational activities, protects

historically significant places, and preserves the charm and character of the area in which we live. Although the city and State land holdings within Pittsfield appear to have adequate long-term protection, the private and quasi-public lands, in some cases, are vulnerable to changes in land use. As many of these private and quasi-public groups experience tight budgets and developable land in the city becomes scarcer, the pressure on these organizations to keep their lands in recreation or conservation use will increase. These issues need to be weighed against such factors as demographics of the user population, growth patterns and local recreation preferences.

Existing Conditions

Pittsfield’s open space and park system is comprised of 272 parcels representing over seventy land holdings and totaling 6,245.94 acres. Approximately 1,161.59 acres of city parkland is deeded to the Department of Parks and Recreation or under general city or miscellaneous title. The remainder includes conservation lands and water supply protection areas (442.17 acres) and school grounds (233.34 acres). Plus approximately 14.08 acres owned by the Town of Richmond, 28.22 acres owned by Central Berkshire County, 2,328.94 acres of State-owned land and 2,037.60 acres of private and quasi-public owned recreation and open space lands. These lands support a variety of recreational and historic


facilities and programs, in addition to providing nature study opportunities and visual amenities. Landscape Character The city’s physiography is generally rolling within the central portion where the average elevation is approximately 1,000 feet above mean sea level. Notable landscape features that exist throughout Pittsfield, such as smooth rolling hills, flat topped limestone ridges, long gentle slopes, rolling gravel and till knolls, and nearly level swampy areas are the result of the advance and retreat of the last continental ice sheet. There are very few areas of prime agricultural soils in Pittsfield. Prime agricultural soils are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as those soils best suited to producing food, feed and fiber. These soils have the quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce a sustained high yield of crops while requiring minimal energy and resources. The only area in Pittsfield with significant amounts of prime agricultural soils is the area north of Polo Acres and Quirico Drive, between Holmes Road and East New Lenox Road. This area is currently in agricultural use by the Noble family. The Pittsfield landscape is a mix of lowlands and hillsides. The lowlands are located in the center of the city while the hills rise upward along the eastern and western borders. The largest concentrations of steeply sloped land in

the city include areas in Pittsfield State Forest in the northwest corner, Oak Hill and the Boulders in the northeast, Sykes Mountain in the southeast corner, and Bousquet Ski Area and South Mountain along the southern border with Lenox. These areas contribute to the scenic character of the city’s outlying areas and provide recreational opportunities. The city also has a wealth of local, state and private open space and park land resources, which contribute to accomplishing many resource protection goals. Open spaces and parks are an essential component of the community’s overall pattern of land use and development and play an invaluable role in the quality of life enjoyed by residents. Preservation of open space contributes to water quality protection, wildlife habitat preservation, mitigation of noise and air pollution and preservation of community character.

Water Resources Surface Water

The vast majority of Pittsfield lies within the Housatonic River watershed with the exception of 27 acres of land which drains into the Hoosic River. The three main branches of the river, the East Branch, West Branch and Southwest Branch, join to become the Main Branch Housatonic River in the center of the city. There are 20 named perennial streams that provide water to the river systems, lakes and ponds within the city, and there are several more unnamed perennial and intermittent streams. The city also


hosts seven lakes and ponds that are five acres or larger in size. Lakes Onota and Pontoosuc are the largest waterbodies in the city. The city’s most significant surface waters include Pontoosuc Lake, located along the city’s northerly border with Lanesborough; Onota Lake, located in the city’s northwest quadrant; and the Housatonic River, which is formed by the confluence of the Housatonic River’s East and West Branches, and winds through the heart of the city. Pontoosuc Lake and Onota Lake are the city’s most important recreational water bodies. Other surface waters include Richmond Pond, Mud Pond, Morewood Lake, Silver Lake, and Goodrich Pond.

Wetlands

In addition to the city’s more obvious surface water resources, such as our lakes and rivers, Pittsfield also possesses a significant amount of wetlands. Many of these wetlands are adjacent to the river systems, but some are isolated wetlands. The isolated wetlands provide wetland habitat in an otherwise upland environment, and their benefits should not be overlooked. They provide the same wildlife habitat, flood storage capacity and other benefits that wetlands and adjoining rivers provide. The largest wetland areas are found in association with the East, West, and Main Branches of the Housatonic River, and north of Richmond Pond, as well as in

Streams, Lakes and Ponds within Pittsfield East Branch

West Branch

S. West Branch

Main Channel

Barton Brook

Pontoosuc Lake

New Lebanon Brook

Wampenum Brook

Unkamet Brook

Hawthorne Brook

Richmond Pond

Morewood Lake

Brattle Brook

Parker Brook

Shaker Brook

Sackett Brook

Goodrich Pond

Lulu Brook

Mud Pond

Sykes Brook

Silver Lake

Churchill Brook

Mud Pond Brook

Daniels Brook

May Brook

Onota Lake

Jacoby Brook

Onota Brook

Smith Brook Maloy Brook


association with other surface waters in the city. Wetlands represent areas that should be protected from development in order to maintain water quality, prevent flooding, and protect wildlife. For all practical purposes, wetlands and surrounding buffer areas should be considered undevelopable. Wetland functions and values can be grouped into five (5) major categories hydrological, biological, recreational, educational, and aesthetics. Wetlands have a variety of hydrological functions such as flood control, groundwater recharge and improved water quality. The effectiveness of wetlands for flood control is dependent upon the size, hydrological character, configuration and location of the wetland in the drainage basin. The relative effectiveness of different wetland types for flood control has not yet been well documented. However, it has been estimated that a watershed with 15% of its area occupied by wetlands or lakes could reduce flood peaks by 60 to 65% compared to a similar area with no wetlands or lakes. Although not all wetlands are groundwater recharge areas, some do recharge groundwater supplies through infiltration or seepage. Because most wetlands soils are typically less permeable than upland soils, many upland sites represent better recharge areas. Wetlands along streams and rivers tend to reduce the velocity of moving water due to the flatter and oftentimes broader

expanse of these areas. This slower water velocity, coupled with the filtering action of aquatic plants, usually leads to an improved water quality. In addition to filtering sediment, wetlands increase the oxygen levels through photosynthesis, and also assimilate various nutrients, heavy metals, and hydrocarbon pollutants. Wetlands also provide valuable habitat for numerous wildlife species, including rare plants and animals. Many of the wetlands in Pittsfield support rare plants and plant communities. This rich abundance and diversity of wetland wildlife provides many recreational and educational opportunities, such as wildlife observation, nature education, photography, hunting and fishing. In addition, hiking, canoeing, and cross country skiing are other compatible uses of wetland areas and their surroundings. Finally, wetland areas provide a particular land form which adds to the diversity of the landscape, thereby increasing visual aesthetics of an area. In realizing the importance of wetlands and the need to protect their valuable functions, the city applied for and received an Executive Office of Communities and Development Incentive Aid Grant in 1987. This grant award allowed the Conservation Commission to hire a full-time Conservation Agent, thereby improving its administration and protection of the city’s valuable wetland resources. The city continues to employ a full-time Conservation Agent using the general city operating budget.


Groundwater

Groundwater is important to humans and nature for several reasons. All areas have some underlying groundwater and all areas recharge some surface water to the ground. Where the quantity of groundwater is much greater than normal it is called an “aquifer”. Technically, an aquifer is a saturated bed, formation, or group of formations which yields water in sufficient quantity to be of consequence as a source of supply. The areas of ground surface that transmit water to the aquifer at much greater than normal rates are called “primary recharge areas”. All other areas transmitting water to the aquifer are called “secondary recharge areas”. The secondary recharge areas include those areas having a significant soil mantle, with subsurface drainage toward the aquifer. Certain areas of stratified surficial deposits in Pittsfield which have been recognized as potential groundwater sources are the Secum-Daniels Brooks, the Vincent Farm-Brattle Brook, and South Pittsfield Aquifer. The valley deposits of Unkamet Brook, north of Coltsville, may be able to sustain large yields; however, an earlier study by Metcalf and Eddy rejected the Coltsville area on the basis of geophysical surveys in favor of valley fills east and south of the city. Because of locational and yield factors, not all of the aquifers are equally important. Secum Brook and Daniels Brook aquifers are not currently water supply sources. A study by Metcalf and Eddy in 1966 revealed that the area

did not have a sufficient depth of waterbearing material. In cases where suitable materials existed, subsequent pump tests indicated that it was too tightly packed for groundwater development. This aquifer, upon further study, may prove to be a possible groundwater supply. Based upon the above considerations, this aquifer has been assigned a Priority A rating by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

Floodplains

Due to its low-lying topography, Pittsfield has a substantial amount of floodplain area, with almost 5,000 acres of total land area (~18%) within the 100-year floodplain. Of this floodplain area, approximately 872 acres (almost 18%) is developed (BRPC, 2005). This is one of the highest percent rates of floodplain development in Berkshire County. This increases the risk of flooding to both landowners within the floodplain and those living downstream of these areas. The largest area of floodplain within the city is the area along Brattle Brook and its unnamed tributary located in the vicinity north of the Elm Street/Williams Street junction. This area surrounds Brattle Brook Park. Maintaining this subwatershed in an undeveloped state helps to protect the existing neighborhoods downstream of the brook’s confluence with the East Branch Housatonic River. Other floodplain areas of note include the meandering Main Stem Housatonic River in the southern section of the city, the Shaker Brook wetland complex in the southwest corner of the city, the area surrounding


Wahconah Park and on Unkamet Brook in Coltsville. The City of Pittsfield has incorporated a flood plain district into its zoning ordinance to ensure that the development of land will be done with awareness and understanding of the potential for the flooding of these areas. The district overlies the other districts shown on the zoning map for the city and corresponds with those flood hazard areas delineated in the “Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps, City of Pittsfield, MA, Berkshire County”, prepared by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, March 1978. The Department of Community Development may issue a special permit for proposed development in the flood plain area if the proposed use is in compliance with the requirements set forth in the zoning ordinance. In addition, the city may impose such additional requirements and conditions to protect and safeguard the surrounding area or reject the proposed use, if desired.

Vegetation

Pittsfield hosts several different types of plant communities. Although Pittsfield is the region’s largest metropolitan area, there are large tracts of forest, open fields, wetlands and open water, each with its own assemblage of plant communities. Northern hardwood forests dominate the region, with occasional stands of hemlock and white pine. Rich Mesic Forests, which are a subset of northern hardwood forests, are known to exist in the

neighboring towns of Lanesborough and Dalton. These forests have moist soils and are rich in nutrients, which supports an unusually diverse understory of ferns and wildflowers. Although Rich Mesic Forests have not been documented in Pittsfield, it is possible that they do exist. If found, these forests should be targeted for protection.

Wildlife Resources

There has been a rapid increase in the number of non-consumptive wildlife users. These include nature study enthusiasts, photographers, birdwatchers, and wildlife observers. In Pittsfield, the Housatonic River and its associated wetlands, Onota Lake, Pontoosuc Lake, Richmond Pond, Goodrich Pond, Mud Pond, Wild Acres, and Canoe Meadows, are some of the better areas for these activities. Songbirds, because of their widespread occurrence in suburban areas, probably provide more enjoyment for Pittsfield residents than any other form of wildlife. They are found in backyard areas, greenbelts, woodland edges, and flower gardens. Bird feeders and nesting boxes are common, which adds to the quality of these habitats.

Fisheries and Game

Although Pittsfield is the most urbanized community in Berkshire County, residents are fortunate to be able to fish and hunt in several areas within the city’s borders. Onota Lake is managed for and produces excellent fishing for trout, chain pickerel, large mouth bass, and pan fish. Trout is stocked in the lake twice a year, and


salmon is stocked in the spring. Public access is provided via Burbank Park and Dunn’s Grove. The pier at Onota Lake provides handicap accessible fishing. Pontoosuc Lake is also managed for and produces fine fishing. Trout is stocked twice a year and tiger muskellunge are stocked in the lake in the spring. In addition, Town Brook, a major tributary of the lake, is stocked with trout in the spring. This lake is renowned for its ability to produce large, trophy muskies, and the lake is a popular ice fishing spot. Pontoosuc Lake currently holds the state record for a tiger musky, at 27 pounds. Public access is provided at the southern end, and shoreline fishing is available here and at the causeway. Both Onota and Pontoosuc lakes are cited as “best bets for largemouth bass” by MassWildlife. Other lakes and ponds include Richmond Pond and Goodrich Pond. Public access to the shoreline of Richmond Pond is limited but a state-maintained boat ramp does exist in Richmond. Shoreline access to Goodrich Pond is provided through Brattlebrook Park and Melrose Avenue. Wild Acres, owned by the Conservation Commission and maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department, contains a small pond that is used for fishing, casting instruction and trout derbies. Trout are provided by the Friends of Wild Acres. Trout and bass can be found in several streams and river sections throughout Pittsfield. Sackett Brook and the Southwest Branch Housatonic River are

stocked with trout in the spring, but trout is abundant in many of the un-stocked streams. Naturalized brown trout are known to inhabit the Southwest Branch of the river. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has imposed a fish consumption warning along the East and Main Branches of the Housatonic River, due to the presence of PCB’s (poly-chlorinated biphenyls). Several species of game are available to hunters, from small game like squirrel and cottontails to large game such as deer and bear. Hunting is allowed on all state-owned lands, including the Housatonic Valley Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Pittsfield and October Mountain state forests. Hunting is also available on many private properties with owner’s permission. Pheasants are stocked in the Housatonic Valley WMA and in Brattlebrook Park land, and waterfowl are a favorite game bird in the Housatonic Valley WMA. Sportsman’s clubs in Pittsfield, Lenox, Cheshire and Lanesborough provide educational programs and local shooting ranges.

Scenic Resources and Unique Environments

The City of Pittsfield is unique in the fact that it offers both an urban and rural environment. The city is ringed by the Berkshire Hills, two major lakes (Pontoosuc and Onota), plus other small ponds and the Housatonic River, as well as protected and unprotected open space in the form of parks, golf courses, conservation areas and farms.


Examples of cultural areas range from the Berkshire Museum and the many historic buildings around Park Square, to Arrowhead, the home of Herman Melville. Along the Housatonic River, Canoe Meadows is an important archaeological site. This blend of the natural and the man-made environment gives Pittsfield its unique character.

Living Waters

Pittsfield is host to nine water resource areas that have been designated as Living Waters by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. These waters have been identified as important in maintaining and protecting freshwater biodiversity in Massachusetts. The designation of Living Waters is based on documented observations of rare species, natural communities and exemplary habitats. The Living Waters include Onota Lake and its tributaries, Richmond Pond, the Shaker Brook wetlands, Mud Pond, Morewood Lake, a section of the Southwest Branch Housatonic River, and the wetlands in and surrounding Wild Acres. The unique ecosystems and rare species that inhabit these waters are discussed in more detail in the rare species section of this plan.

Vernal Pools

Vernal pools are ephemeral wetlands which fill annually from snowmelt, rain and the rising groundwaters of spring and early summer. Most years the pools completely dry out by mid-to-late summer (Kenny & Burne, 2000). The wet-dry cycle

prohibits fish from becoming established, but it can support an array of small creatures with a seasonal home. Many woodland amphibians and reptiles need both aquatic and terrestrial habitats to complete their lifestyles, and numerous species have evolved life cycles that exploit the temporary nature of this wetland without the predation of fish. Some of the state’s rarest amphibians are completely dependent upon vernal pools for their breeding grounds, including the mole salamanders (Jefferson, spotted, and marbled) and some species of freshwater snails, clams and other invertebrates. For a species with a narrow or small distribution, a specific vernal pool may be the only place in the region or on earth that the creature is found. If that pool is destroyed, that specific population of creatures could become locally extinct. Since many of the region’s rarest amphibians rely completely on vernal pools, it is important to identify vernal pools and prioritize those known to support rare species for protection.

Plant Communities

According to Patricia Swain of the NHESP, several areas within Pittsfield have been identified as areas of possible Primary Forest. These forests are not Old Growth, but they do occur on untilled soil. Even through they may have been used as woodlots and may have occasionally been used for pasture, they retain a greater native biodiversity, including wildflowers and some small animals, than adjoining areas that were tilled. It is not known if the 1830 forest areas in Pittsfield


are Primary Forest, but the NHESP recommends that such a possibility be researched in order to determine the ecological value of these areas. The areas that have been documented as being forested in 1830 and that are currently forested areas are scattered across the city. Large tracts of these forests are protected, as they lie within the Pittsfield and October Mountain state forests, within the Housatonic River WMA and within the Boulders. Other large tracts, most notably South Mountain southward to the Lenox town line, south and east of Brattlebrook Park, and in the Unkamet Brook watershed, are unprotected. There is a documented occurrence of a Red Oak-Sugar Maple Transition Forest in Pittsfield that is an older forest, and has been mentioned as possible Old Growth. Calcareous wetlands support a tremendous diversity of rare plant species, and such wetlands can be found throughout Pittsfield. There is a Calcareous Sloping Fen occurring in the vicinity of Mud Pond. These fens are open, sedge-dominated wetlands that are fed from calcareous groundwater. This area supports rare plant species. Another unique wetland community is the Black Ash-Red Maple-Tamarack Calcareous Seepage Swamp, which are mixed deciduous-coniferous forested swamps that are rare in Massachusetts. There are two exemplary sites below Mahanna Cobble, and it is likely that there are other such undocumented sites within Pittsfield. It would be worthwhile to verify further sites and pursue conservation of the area surrounding them.

Rare Plant Species

According to NHESP records, there are several animals and plants that are typical of open fields and marshes that have not been seen for several years, in some cases several decades. Some of these may have lost habitat due to the transition from old farm fields back into shrub/ scrub or forest, while others may have lost habitat to development. Conserving and managing a variety of contiguous landscapes, open and forested, provides the best opportunities to maintain current plant and animal populations and prevent further losses. There are 29 different rare plant species that have been documented in Pittsfield. The status defined under the “MESA Status” column denotes the official status of the species in Massachusetts pursuant to state regulations governing rare species. None of the rare plants are federally listed as endangered. These definitions related to both rare plants and animals. The NHESP lists rare species by the category, and the definitions for each category is as follows: (E)

(T)

“Endangered” species are native species which are in danger of extinction throughout all or part of their range, or which are in danger of extirpation from Massachusetts, as documented by biological research and inventory. “Threatened” species are native species which are likely


(SC)

to become endangered in the foreseeable future, or which are declining or rare as determined by biological research and inventory. “Special concern” species are native species which have been documented by biological research or inventory to have suffered a decline that could threaten the species if allowed to continue unchecked, or which occur in such small numbers or with such restricted distribution or specialized habitat requirements that they could easily become threatened within Massachusetts.

Many of the rare plants are found in the wetlands and floodplains of the Housatonic River as it meanders through the southeastern portion of Pittsfield and into Lenox. A population of Fen Sedge and one of the state’s two known populations of the Capillary Beakedsedge inhabit open peatlands in this area. Wet meadow species such as Stiff Gentian and Pale Green Orchids are also present here (Swain, 2006). Pittsfield harbors an amazing array of rare plants, many of which are located in waters designated by NHESP as Living Waters. There are nine such designated waterbodies and river segments in the city. NHESP has summarized these rare plants in a planning guide compiled specifically for Pittsfield entitiled BioMap and Living Waters, Guiding Land Conservation for Biodiversity in Massachusetts, Core Habitats of Pittsfield.

Among the more notable rare species are: > Fries’ Pondweed, an endangered species, is found in Mud Pond, one of only two known populations in Massachusetts. > Comb Water-milfoil, an endangered species, is found in Onota Lake, one of only three known populations in Massachusetts. > The state’s most outstanding population of Wapato, a rare relative of the Common Arrowhead, lives in the floodplains of the Housatonic River on the Pittsfield/Lenox border. > Hill’s Pondweed, a globally rare plant species, is found in open areas of slow-moving or quiet waters of Wild Acres and Maloy Brook. > The Lesser Bladderwort, an uncommon carnivorous plant, is found in the wetland north of Richmond Pond.


Rare Plant Species in Pittsfield Scientific Name

Common Name

MESA Status

Most Recent Observation

Equisetum scirpoides

Dwarf Scouring-rush

SC

2004

Potamogeton ogdenii

Ogden’s Pondweed

E

2003

Potamogeton strictifolius

Straight-leaved Pondweed

E

2004

Potamogeton hillii

Hill’s Pondweed

SC

2001

Potamogeton friesii

Fries’ Pondweed

E

1990

Elymus villosus

Hairy Wild Rye

E

2000

Spiranthes romanzoffiana

Hooded Ladies’tresses

E

1911

Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda

White Adder’s-mouth

E

2002

Rhynchospora capillacea

Capillary Beak-sedge

E

2003

Eleocharis quinqueflora

Few-flowered Spikesedge

E

2004

Eleocharis intermedia

Intermediate Spikesedge

T

1999

Carex sterilis

Dioecious Sedge

T

1996

Carex hitchcockiana

Hitchcock’s Sedge

SC

2005

Carex castanea

Chestnut-colored Sedge

E

2004

Sagittaria cuneata

Wapato

T

1999

Veronicastrum virginicum

Culver’s-root

T

1992

Waldsteinia fragarioides

Barren Strawberry

SC

2004

Ranunculus pensylvanicus

Bristly Buttercup

T

1992

Pyrola asarifolia ssp. asarifolia

Pink Pyrola

E

1983

Myriophyllum verticillatum

Comb Water-milfoil

E

2003

Quercus macrocarpa

Mossy-cup Oak

SC

1919

Rhododendron maximum

Great Laurel

T

1983

Lonicera hirsuta

Hairy Honeysuckle

E

2003

Cardamine pratensis var. palustris

Fen Cuckoo Flower

T

2001

Symphyotrichum prenanthoides

Crooked-stem Aster

T

2004

Petasites frigidus var. palmatus

Sweet Coltsfoot

E

1916

Acer nigrum

Black Maple

SC

1999

Boechera laevigata

Smooth Rock-cress

T

1865


Rare Animal Species

Pittsfield’s landscape, with its mix of lowlands and hills, riverine and wetland ecosystems, set atop a calcareous bedrock and its associated soils, provide the unique environmental characteristics that support an abundant and diverse array of rare species. There are 21 rare species documented as having lived in Pittsfield. This is an unusually long list of rare species for any community, especially given that the city’s more urban area. The definitions for the MESA Status is the same for rare animals as it is for rare plants; for reference see the section on Rare Plant Species. Some of the recognizable rare animals that inhabit Pittsfield are the Wood Turtle, American Bittern, Pied-billed Grebe, King Rail and the Great Blue Heron. Areas in which these animals are known to inhabit include the Housatonic River and Sackett Brook. It also includes the wetlands within Brattlebrook Park and the wetlands south of West Street which feed Maloy Brook. The presence of these animals reflects the abundance of wetlands and slowmoving waters needed to provide habitat and cover. Upland areas immediately adjacent to these low-lying wetland resources are extremely important, in that they provide the terrestrial ecosystem that many animals, such as the Wood Turtle, need to fulfill their life cycles. Undeveloped uplands adjacent to wetland resources provide a buffer that limits human intrusion and helps to mitigate the nonpoint source pollution that is

generated by development. NHESP suggests that a buffer of at least 600 feet be established around riparian and wetland resources to protect the turtles (Swain, 2006). Because so little of the low-lying land is protected from development, any available land in the vicinity of rare species habitat should be carefully considered for conservation purposes. Two of Pittsfield’s recreational lakes, Onota Lake and Richmond Pond, support the Bridle Shiner, a fish of special Concern. This fish has declined or been extirpated in much of its range, but is known to inhabit sites within Berkshire County. This fish is an important part of the aquatic food chain, as it is prey for larger fishes, some of which are game fish. Birds of prey that are frequently seen along the lakes, ponds and rivers within Pittsfield are ospreys, peregrine falcons and bald eagles. There has been some evidence that bald eagles reside and are breeding at Onota Lake. This may be one of only a few sites within Western Massachusetts that this magnificent bird has returned to breed. The City of Pittsfield should support efforts to substantiate if a breeding pair resides on the lake and, if substantiated, should lead the effort to protect habitat for the birds. The abundance and diversity of these species indicates that the natural ecosystems surviving within the city borders and beyond are worthy of


Rare Animal Species in Pittsfield Taxonomic Group

Scientific Name

Common Name

MESA Status

Most Recent Observation

Bird

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed Grebe

E

1996

Bird

Botaurus lentiginosus

American Bittern

E

2004

Bird

Ixobrychus exilis

Least Bittern

E

1972

Bird

Circus cyaneus

Northern Harrier

T

1931

Bird

Rallus elegans

King Rail

T

1990

Bird

Gallinula chloropus

Common Moorhen

SC

1990

Bird

Tyto alba

Barn Owl

SC

1954

Bird

Cistothorus platensis

Sedge Wren

E

1955

Bird

Ammodramus savannarum

Grasshopper Sparrow

T

1981

Reptile

Glyptemys insculpta

Wood Turtle

SC

2002

Amphibian

Ambystoma jeffersonianum

Jefferson Salamander

SC

2004

Fish

Notropis bifrenatus

Bridle Shiner

SC

2002

Mussel

Alasmidonta undulata

Triangle Floater

SC

1998

Snail

Valvata sincera

Boreal Turret Snail

E

1961

Butterfly/ Moth

Euphyes dion

Dion Skipper

T

2003

Butterfly/ Moth

Pieris oleracea

Eastern Veined White

T

1988

Butterfly/ Moth

Papaipema sp. 2 nr. pterisii

Ostrich Fern Borer Moth

SC

1958

Dragonfly/Damselfly

Ophiogomphus carolus

Riffle Snaketail

T

1999

Dragonfly/Damselfly

Stylurus scudderi

Zebra Clubtail

E

1999

Dragonfly/Damselfly

Stylurus spiniceps

A Clubtail Dragonfly

T

1999

Beetle

Cicindela purpurea

Purple Tiger Beetle

SC

1931

Source: NHESP website, Dec. 2006, http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/townp.htm#pittsfield


protection. Areas on which conservation efforts should be focused include lands that support rare species and are adjacent to lands already protected, as they help to create large blocks of un-fragmented habitat. BioMap Core areas that support or buffer rare species habitat and are adjacent to protected lands should be prioritized if possible. Other areas of focus should be those forests that are believed to be Primary Forest lands. Specific focus areas in Pittsfield may include these areas: > South of Dan Fox Drive to town border > West of South Street and east of Tamarack Road > Wetland complex north of Richmond Pond, fed by Shaker Brook > East of New Lenox Road: upward to state land in the south and along Sackett Brook in the north > Additional corridor lands along Housatonic River as it flows between the two Housatonic Valley WMAs > Eastward from Brattlebrook Park > Wetland habitat found in Wild Acres > Wetlands forming headwaters of Maloy Brook

Environmental Challenges Contamination

A major environmental problem is contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s), a suspected carcinogen that was used as a cooling

agent in GE electrical transformers. For nearly 50 years, until the use of PCB’s was banned in 1977, the contaminated by-products entered into surrounding soils, and the Housatonic River. The contaminants spread like wildfire into nearby tributaries and floodplains. In 2000, federal and state agencies, the City of Pittsfield and GE reached a cleanup agreement. Under this agreement, GE was ordered to invest $150 - $250 million in remedying the on-site contamination, as well as nearby residential properties and segments of the Housatonic River and its floodplains. The first half-mile – between Newell Street to Lyman Street – was completed in 2002, where more than 18,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil were removed. The second stretch – spanning from Lyman Street to Fred Gardner Park – was completed in 2006, and included the removal of 95,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil. The rest of the Housatonic River – from Fred Gardner Park through Connecticut – is still underway. In addition, GE was also required to construct a plan to remediate Silver Lake, clean up and restore the former oxbows, clean up Allendale School yard, and compensate for natural resource damages. Regardless of the mitigation, problems remain. A potential environmental problem is the existence of the city’s landfill in close proximity to the East Branch of the Housatonic River. This has


not gone unnoticed by the city. Efforts are underway to address the problems that could be caused by contamination from the landfill.

Stormwater Management

The assessment grants were used to inventory and prioritize sites, conduct Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, and support community outreach activities. The revolving loan fund grant allows BRPC to lend subordinated loans and subgrants to public, private and non-profit entities for remediation and clean up activities. Grant funds are also used to conduct community outreach activities and cleanup oversight.

Brownfields Redevelopment

The returns on revitalizing these sites are two fold: hazardous materials will be cleaned up, thus reducing harmful effects on the environment (soil and water quality) and the surrounding community; and existing commercial and industrial land will be recycled, decreasing the pressure to develop outlying, undeveloped land.

Erosion and sedimentation is another environmental concern regarding new development. Increased residential development near Pittsfield’s lakes could potentially increase eutrophication. More vigilant oversight of all projects and effective land use control can minimize the potential impacts created by this type of development.

Brownfield revitalization is an environmental challenge worth noting. According to the EPA, a brownfield is a property whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. There are 34 tier classified brownfield sites within the City of Pittsfield. These include the 16 Tier 2 sites, 10 Tier 1D sites, and the 8 GE sites. To help assess and clean up brownfields, the EPA provides financial assistance through assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Berkshire Regional Planning Commission was selected to receive two of these brownfields assessment grants, as well as a brownfields revolving loan fund grant.

Invasive Plants

Another environmental challenge is the control of invasive species populations in Pittsfield. Unfortunately the geologic and soil conditions that provide the marble valley ecoregion with its vast array of unique plant communities also provides advantageous conditions for the establishment and proliferation of invasive plants. Many invasive species do particularly well in calcium-rich environments, including riparian areas. The infestation of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) along the Housatonic River and its tributaries is so thick in some areas along the river that it has effectively created a monoculture along the riverbanks and wetlands.


Overuse of Public Open Space

Overuse of our many public resources are not considered by many as an “environmental” problem. However, erosion, sedimentation of adjacent water bodies and visual degradation can occur. This can be remedied by the program set forth in the action plan.

Lands of Conservation & Recreation Interest

The City of Pittsfield is fortunate to have approximately 6,245.94 acres of open space land comprised of 272 parcels representing over seventy land holdings. Much of this land is owned by the city or by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, while other open space lands are held by private non-profit and for profit entities. Two parcels are on record as under the ownership of Central Berkshire County and one parcel is owned by the Town of Richmond. Pittsfield’s supply of publicly owned recreation facilities and open space is not restricted to city property. In fact, the total acreage of lands owned by other public entities is more than twice as large as that of the city. Nearly forty percent (2,328.94 acres) of the open space within the city is owned and managed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, while 1,837.10 acres of land are designated as parkland or under general city or miscellaneous title. Two parcels totaling 28.22 acres are owned by Central Berkshire County. One parcel belongs to the Town of Richmond, which uses approximately 14.08 acres to provide

access to Richmond Pond at the southwest corner of Pittsfield. In addition, there are approximately 2,037.60 acres of privately owned recreation and open space lands. Open Space Properties by Ownership Entity Owner

Approximate Number of Properties

Number of Parcels

City of Pittsfield

Total Area (acres)

193

116

1,837.10

Town of Richmond

1

1

14.08

Central Berkshire County

2

2

28.22

Commonwealth

41

17

2,328.94

Private Non-profit

21

10

1,318.42

Private for Profit

15

3

719.18

273

149

6,245.94

Total

MassGIS Protected and Recreational Datalayer updated January 1997

Municipal Open Space

Pittsfield’s park system is comprised of 29 parks and playgrounds and 14 school grounds. Approximately 1,437.23 acres are owned and maintained by the city for the primary purpose of recreation. Another 334.15 acres is city conservation land or under miscellaneous title and the remainder are historical or cultural lands (0.8 acres) and water supply protection areas (64.92 acres). Most of the city-owned open space under miscellaneous title is in scattered parcels of less than an acre in size. The majority of the acreage is in sewer and water rights of way, which belong to the Public Works and Utilities Department. It is possible that some of these properties


could find future recreation use for trail purposes, since they comprise a considerable network of already-cleared public lands. Properties owned by the Department of Parks and Recreation and the School Department often are adjacent to each other, and use and maintenance of these abutting facilities and others involves both departments. Due to this proximity, a park-school system has been established after being in the conceptual stage and under consideration over the past two decades. Day-to-day management of the park and conservation land system, as well as planning for the system, is primarily the function of the Department of Parks and Recreation in conjunction with the Board of Parks Commissioners. The department is fully or jointly responsible for about 90% of the land, including 28 parks and playgrounds. It maintains not only the land formally deeded to it, but also the park property under general city title, which includes the Conservation Commission’s

holdings, all 14 schools, and one Pittsfield Housing Authority (PHA) playground. In addition, the Parks and Recreation Department coordinates its development and programming with all city agencies concerned with housing and neighborhood development, including the Department of Community Development, Public Works & Utilities, and Pittsfield Housing and Redevelopment Authorities.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Open Space

The majority of the State open space lands are owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), formerly the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). The department’s most prominent holding is Pittsfield State Forest, which cuts into the city’s western border at the north and south, with 1,408 acres within Pittsfield. The forest is a major regional facility, offering water sports, camping, horse and recreation vehicle trails, skiing, picnic areas, and nature observation on its total 10,947 acres. DCR also owns a parcel of 80

State-owned Open Space Owner

Acres

Level of Protection

Primary Purpose

Public Access

Department of Fish and Game

312.41

In Perpetuity

Conservation

Yes

DCR - Division of State Parks and Recreation

1,869.24

In Perpetuity

Recreation and Conservation

Yes

DCR - Division of State Parks and Recreation

80.08

None

Conservation

Yes

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

67.21

Limited

Conservation

Yes

Total

2,328.94


acres where their Regional Headquarters are located. This is managed as a passive recreation area, with a visitor center, forestry exhibit and trails. The Department of Fish and Game (DFG), formerly the Division of Fisheries Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement, owns 312 acres in the southwest sector of the city along the Housatonic River known as the Housatonic Valley Wildlife Management Area. This land was acquired as a wildlife habitat and is open to the public for restricted use, including fishing and walking. Another major State holding is Berkshire Community College with 67 acres in the western part of the city. The college is fully equipped with indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, and its surrounding grounds include both cleared and forested open space.

Nonprofit and Service Agency Open Space

A substantial portion of Pittsfield’s open space assets are under the ownership of non-profit entities whose primary focus is on nature, land preservation or cultural and historical areas. These organizations hold mostly large, undeveloped tracts and are open to at least passive recreation use by the general public.

Conservation Lands

The South Mountain Association retains nearly 53 acres of land. The organization presents performances by world-famous artists, and its concert and administration facilities are located on this property. It is open to the public for passive uses. Similarly, Arrowhead is surrounded by over 14 acres of meadow and woodland which can be visited in addition to the Herman Melville residence. There is a nature trail and flower display, and

Non-Profit Open Space Owner

Acres

Level of Protection

Primary Purpose

Public Access

Gladys Allen Brigham Center

90.34

None

Recreation

No

Massachusetts Audubon Society

255.52

In Perpetuity

Conservation

Yes

Hancock Shaker Village

343.43

Limited

Historical/Cultural

Yes

Northeast Baptist Conference

136.38

None

Recreation

No

Pittsfield Cemetery Corp

138.79

In Perpetuity

Historical/Cultural

Yes

Pittsfield Sportsmens Club Inc

52.10

Limited

Recreation and Conservation

Private

Pittsfield YMCA

77.67

None

Recreation

Private

R C Bishop of Springfield

189.66

In Perpetuity

Historical/Cultural

Yes

Berkshire Natural Resource Council

34.53

In Perpetuity

Conservation

Yes

Total

1,318.42


theater productions are staged during the summer. Arrowhead also serves as the headquarters of the Berkshire County Historical Society. A 29-acre conservation restriction also exists along the property abutting Route 7/20. Another major open space holding is Canoe Meadows, a wildlife sanctuary of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The 255 acre tract in the southeast portion of the city contains woods, ponds, fields and marshes. It is open to the public year-round for activities such as hiking and nature observation. Hancock Shaker Village is located in both Pittsfield and Hancock. The Shaker Central Ministry closed the Hancock community in 1960 and sold the buildings and surrounding acres to a group of Shaker enthusiasts, collectors and scholars who formed the not-forprofit corporation that eventually became Hancock Shaker Village. Hancock Shaker Village, Incorporated owns 343.43 acres in the southwest corner of Pittsfield and additional acres in Hancock. Hancock Shaker Village, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit educational organization. The village was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968 and is accredited by the American Association of Museums. The Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) is active in the assembling of critical lands and in assisting with the preservation of

the visual environment via such approaches as easements, covenants and conservation restrictions. Through its land trust and conservation fund, the organization owns the 34.5 acre Burbank tract near Brattlebrook Park. The BNRC transferred approximately 108 acres at the confluence of the East and West Branches of the Housatonic River to the State’s Fish and Wildlife Division. In addition, the BNRC owns a conservation restriction on 29 acres of land along Route 7/20 of the South Mountain Association property.

Recreation & Public Service Facilities

Pittsfield is fortunate to have six very active recreation and social service organizations located near the center of the city. The facilities of these agencies, Pittsfield Family YMCA, Gladys Allen Brigham Center, Boys & Girls Club of Pittsfield, Catholic Youth Center, Jewish Community Center and Salvation Army, are vital in supplementing the public recreation supply, with indoor play opportunities during the winter as well as programs in other seasons. Each of these agencies serves a city-wide clientele, and each has its individual focus or purpose. However, because of their downtown locations and their social service orientations, they are of particular benefit to the inner-city neighborhoods, helping ameliorate the relative lack of public parkland there. Many activities are free and annual membership and any program fees are modest.


The Pittsfield Family YMCA, incorporated nearly a century ago, serves between 700 and 1,000 persons a day. In its downtown building are a gymnasium, swimming pool, handball courts, exercise and steam rooms, and various game and meeting rooms. Many of these facilities were rehabilitated and expanded in the early 90s, including a brand new swimming pool and facilities for the handicapped. Activities at the YMCA involve persons of all ages and backgrounds and both sexes. The agency is particularly well-known for providing competitive recreation opportunities, including its own basketball, soccer, and baseball leagues. Supplementing the downtown facilities is a summer camp at Berkshire Community College. The Boys and Girls Club of Pittsfield is another extensive downtown recreation facility. Since 1906, it has provided “sport and wholesome exercise”, now serving some 6,000 boys and girls. In 1962, a $1.5 million expansion was completed. Facilities include an indoor ice skating rink, swimming pool, three gymnasiums, and game and meeting rooms. The Boys and Girls Club does considerable outreach to inner-city youth. In addition to recreational activities, the club is the locus of educational and social services, such as therapy and learning skill programs for the disadvantaged and vocational and guidance programs such as job banks, substance abuse and woodworking. The Boys and Girls Club summer camp facilities are located just beyond the Pittsfield border on Richmond Pond.

The Gladys Allen Brigham Center, formerly known as Girls Inc. and the Pittsfield Girls Club, has played a leading role in the delivery of recreation and human services since 1911. Its mission is to provide multiple services to empower children and youth, with a special emphasis on girls, to become responsible, confident and personally fulfilled individuals. Strong community service programs support the mission, including a pre-school. Girls at risk and teen parents are offered comprehensive services. An established outreach program provides 1,000 youth after-school and evening activities. Constructed in 1957, the club’s modern building includes a swimming pool, gymnasium, auditorium, all-purpose rooms, two kitchens, and classroom areas. The club has increased its handicapped accessibility and replaced its heating system. The organization also has property on Onota Lake, which provides day camping for girls and community use. The Jewish Community Center (JCC) has been in continuous operation since 1929. It has an active membership of patrons from two to ninety years of age. In the early 1950’s, the JCC building was developed to include a full gymnasium as well as meeting and game rooms. The center also offers outdoor recreation programs at the Common, and provides social service programs, such as Head Start, which primarily serve the surrounding downtown neighborhoods. The Catholic Youth Center (CYC) was founded nearly 70 years ago. It serves approximately 2,000 boys and girls, over


half of whom reside in the inner city. Emphasizing spiritual and family concerns as well as recreation programs, the CYC facilities include a gymnasium and other smaller activity rooms and class areas. The agency also operates summer camp programs at its property near the Pittsfield State Forest. The Salvation Army building is located a short distance from the other five social service agencies, on the western side of the downtown. It provides education and recreation programs for adults and for children ages 6 to 18. The Salvation Army also offers emergency crisis counseling, for alcoholics, drug abusers and others. Facilities include a gymnasium and athletic equipment. These are available for use by the agency’s clientele and others in the community.

Private for Profit Parcels Open Space

The public supply of recreation and open space land in Pittsfield is supplemented by considerable properties under the ownership of local private and quasipublic entities. While the majority of this

acreage is undeveloped and though much is restricted in terms of users, the property is nonetheless significant in depicting the total open space and recreation possibilities for Pittsfield. Even in the case of exclusionary organizations, it is possible that facilities could be opened for limited public use or special events, or that such properties ultimately will be available for public acquisition. It is imperative that the city maintain close working relationships with private recreation providers, not only for the possibility of shared facilities but also to avoid duplication of efforts and investment, and to plan for future needs.

Commercial Recreation Facilities & Private Clubs, Associations, Schools and Camps

There are several established commercial recreation facilities in Pittsfield. These are open to the general public, operating as for-profit enterprises and charging fees accordingly. A major 360-acre recreation facility, Bousquet, has been patronized by residents of the region and by tourists

Private for Profit Open Space Owner

Acres

Level of Protection

Primary Purpose

Public Access

Winadu Real Estate Co LLC

67.61

None

Recreation

No

Crane and Company Inc

526.59

In Perpetuity

Conservation

Yes

George W Noble Jr

125.16

In Perpetuity

Agriculture

No

Total

719.36


for many years. Adjacent to Bousquet is Berkshire West, a health and recreation center featuring indoor tennis courts and a pool. The supply of open space and recreation in Pittsfield also includes the private clubs, schools and summer camps located in the city. Participation in these facilities, in general, is restricted to members or to some other fee-paying clientele. The costs are sometimes substantial. They thus may be viewed more as open space assets than as community recreation resources, since their use by the public at-large is inherently limited. There are several private clubs and associations, controlling a total of 700 acres of land in various locations. These include three country clubs and the General Electric Athletic Association. Camp Winadu is a 67 acre private summer camp for boys located on the shoreline of Onota Lake. Camp Winadu’s physical plant includes a sports facility, spacious courts, fields, pool, lake, rinks and more. Winadu combines specialty camp instruction in team and individual sports for both beginners and advanced players within the setting of a traditional summer camp. The facilities include baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, golf, roller hockey, volleyball and an extreme sports center with half pipe, quarter pipe, pyramid “fun box,” and roll ins. The camp makes full use of the extensive waterfront and dock system on Lake Onota including competition ski boats, lazer sailboats, Sunfish, canoes,

kayaks, playaks and row boats and a 5,000 square foot pool with water slides. The camp also offers mountain biking and the adjacent public forest for hiking and camping. There are five privately owned educational institutions with outdoor recreational facilities. These include two Catholic facilities, two daycare centers, and a preparatory school, the Hall School. With the exception of the Hall School, which is well-endowed with land and facilities, these institutions offer modest, standard recreational areas adjacent to their school buildings. The City of Pittsfield is fortunate to have a substantial amount of conservation and recreation lands. The city’s formal recreation and conservation land holdings amount to 1,837.10 acres. This amount increases to 5,527 acres when other public (i.e. State) properties are included and increases to 6,246 acres when private and quasi-public (i.e. Commercial, private camps, etc.) properties are considered. These figures represent 6.5%, 19% and 21.5%, respectively, of the city’s entire land area. Although the city and state land holdings appear to have adequate long-term protection, the private and quasi-public lands, in some cases, are vulnerable to a change in land use. Over 76% of the city’s open space (4,733 acres) is protected in perpetuity. However, 1,050 acres (17%) of open space has only limited protections. The remaining 7% (464 acres) is currently unprotected. As many of these private


and quasi-public groups experience tight budgets and developable land in the city becomes more scarce, the pressure on these organizations to keep their lands in recreation or conservation use will increase. Therefore, as much as possible must be done to develop and rehabilitate the public open space and recreational areas to not only insure the quality of life but increase recreational access for all citizens.

Other Nearby Resources

Because of Pittsfield’s extensive park and open space resources, city residents generally do not have to depend on facilities in nearby towns. However, the Berkshire region does contain numerous other options. For example, located in the county but beyond the city borders are over 20 golf clubs and courses, several tennis facilities, lakes and rivers, and areas for both cross-country and downhill skiing. The Appalachian Trail passes just a few miles from Pittsfield, and within a 20mile radius, there are 17 state parks, forests and reservations. Offering boating, fishing, camping, swimming and a full range of outdoor experiences, these state parks are: > Bash Bish Falls State Forest > Beartown State Forest > Chester-Blandford St. For. > Clarksburg State Park > East Mountain State Forest > Hawley State Forest > Mohawk Trail State Forest > Monroe State Forest

> Mount Greylock State Res. > October Mountain St. For. > Otis State Forest > Peru State Forest > Pittsfield State Forest > Savoy Mountain St. For. > Taconic Trail State Park > Windsor State Forest


Master Plan Goals In terms of Open Space and Recreation / Natural Resource Protection, the City of Pittsfield has set its sights on the achievement of the following goals.

Goal 1 Protect, preserve and maintain natural resources and ensure adequate funding for open space and park planning as necessary to provide a high quality of life for Pittsfield’s residents as well as an adequate amount, variety, and distribution of open space and water resources. The quality of life in our city is greatly enriched by the many open spaces in which we play, gather, garden and exercise. Pittsfield has been described by many as a “city in the country”. The city must continue to provide a sufficient amount of open space to maintain biodiversity, support habitats, and fulfill the needs of residents on a city-wide scale, including in the downtown, and at neighborhood levels. The region has witnessed the loss of thousands of acres of productive farmland; the existing farmland enhances the quality of life for those who live in Pittsfield. In order to keep the existing farms the city must support the preservation of existing farmland, open fields and other areas of rural character and scenic beauty within the city. It is crucial to preserve contiguous tracts of open space by providing connections between protected parcels, thereby reducing fragmentation of plant and animal populations, maintaining animal migration routes and facilitating

public use of protected land. This is particularly important in the periphery of the city where much of the land is currently open space but vulnerable to fragmentation. In realizing the importance of critical watershed areas the city must protect their valuable functions including wetlands, aquifers and water bodies to maintain water quality, habitat, recreational value and aesthetics. It should not be underestimated how important it is to ensure adequate funding for the city’s abundant open space and recreation facilities. With limited capital, maintenance of existing municipal facilities is one of the most difficult tasks facing the City of Pittsfield. As funds grow scarcer recreation and maintenance funds become more limited and the city must provide a sufficient amount of city staff and adjunct resources to maintain existing open spaces, provide long term planning for municipal open spaces, and develop necessary tools to protect and preserve open spaces and natural resources. Support and partnerships with boards, commissions, charitable foundations, businesses and civic and conservation groups can help to enable the city to secure funding for unique initiatives designed to implement the goals, objectives and strategies of this Plan. Dialogue with boards, commissions, and civic and conservation groups should be encouraged to avoid duplication of efforts.


Goal 2 Provide opportunities, resources, accessibility and quality facilities for both recreation and conservation uses to all citizens.

Goal 3 Develop while preserving traditional land use patterns, decreasing sprawl and protecting large open spaces.

The more than 1,879.40 acres owned by the city are very intensively used by the city’s nearly 50,000 residents. Pittsfield’s parkland is fragmented into 23 different parks, 7 different playgrounds, and 14 school grounds each requiring individual attention. The sheer number of benches, swings, water fountains, planting strips, basketball nets, and so on requires an overwhelming amount of care to maintain.

Infill development is a term used for types of development that fill in gaps within areas that are already developed. This type of development is more compact and less consumptive of land and resources. However, vacant urban area is often bypassed for lands that are less expensive or that are perceived to have fewer development constraints. Current patterns of sprawling, low-density development at the urban fringe are consuming land (including farmlands, wetlands, and other resource lands) at a much faster rate than population growth. It is critical that the city create incentives to promote infill and brownfield redevelopment and development in urban centers and zones identified for growth pursuant to the comprehensive planning process. The city should encourage traditional neighborhood development patterns and discourage development which damages the character of the community or the neighborhood.

It is essential that the city accommodate the growing demand for recreation interests and activities and the shared use of land for appropriate types of recreation activities in suitable areas. The community has expressed a need for the creation of new recreation opportunities, while upgrading and maintaining existing recreation facilities. The completion of an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Self-Evaluation will determine how accessible the city’s conservation and recreation programs and properties are to people with disabilities and recognize any shortcomings of the existing programs and develop a plan to remedy them.


Master Plan Strategies

Strategy 1 Identify parcels for potential acquisition or other protections to protect habitats, landscapes and/or for recreational use. Priorities include: a. Contiguous tracts of open space that will connect protected parcels and reduce the fragmentation of plant and animal populations, maintain migration routes and facilitate public use of protected land. b. Unprotected parcels at risk for development in areas of contiguous open spaces, potential migration routes and active agricultural use. c. Natural corridors along streams, ridgelines and other natural features to allow for recreation and species migration. Pittsfield’s natural resources should be connected and, when appropriate, made accessible to the public including the disabled and elderly. Connecting Pittsfield’s natural resources, parks and open space, especially the rivers and lakes, through a series of greenways would allow the public to gain physical access to its natural resources. It is equally important that greenway corridors

are established and protected in areas where public connections cannot be made. Vegetated wildlife corridors should be developed between open spaces to allow for continued diversity and connections of plant and animal life. Such corridors can be as simple as a 10- to 20-foot width of native plantings along a property boundary. Where possible, the Housatonic River should be accessible with a series of greenways.

Strategy 2 Expand the amount of privatelyheld open space through zoning, conservation subdivision design, development agreements, deed restrictions, and/or public-private partnerships.

A variety of tools are available to the city to encourage the preservation of privately-held open space. Conservation subdivision design is a natural resource development strategy that can help communities preserve open space and natural areas in residential housing developments. Similar to the flexible development ordinance, conservation subdivision design differs from conventional subdivision design by strategically concentrating home construction on the development site in order to protect sensitive and valuable open space, habitat, and other environmental resources. Conservation easements create land preservation agreements between a landowner and a government agency (municipality, state, federal) or a qualified


land protection organization (land trust). It restricts development and certain other activities on a property as mutually agreed by the landowner and the “holder” of the easement. The property remains the private property of the landowner and the decision to place a conservation easement on a property is strictly voluntary. The primary purpose of a conservation easement is to protect agricultural land, timber resources, and/or other valuable natural resources such as wildlife habitat, clean water, clean air, or scenic open space. Purchase of agricultural conservation easement (PACE) programs are designed for the protection of farmland and pay property owners to protect their farmland from development. Like with conservation easements, landowners sell agricultural conservation easements to a government agency or private conservation organization. PACE programs allow farmers to cash in a percentage of the equity in their land, creating a viable alternative to selling land for non-agricultural uses. Removing the development potential from farmland generally reduces its future market value. PACE provides landowners with liquid capital that can enhance the economic viability of individual farming operations. Differential assessment laws direct local governments to assess agricultural land at its value for agriculture, instead of its market value, which is generally higher. Differential assessment laws are enacted by states and implemented

at the local level. Every state except Michigan has a differential assessment law. Differential assessment programs help ensure the economic viability of agriculture. The lack of profitability is a major motivation for farmers to sell land for development, reduced taxes increase profits. These laws are viewed by some to help correct inequities in the property tax system. Owners of farmland pay a disproportionately high share of local property taxes since they typically demand fewer local public services than residential landowners. Differential assessment helps bring tax farmers to better reflect the actual costs to local governments to provide services to the land.

Strategy 3 Promote development in areas with existing infrastructure and discourage growth in areas without sewers or in areas that have soils with severe limitations for on-site wastewater disposal. Sprawl development is the expansion of low-density development into previously undeveloped land. The American Farmland Trust has estimated that the United States is losing about 50 acres an hour to suburban and exurban development (Longman, 1998). This sprawl development requires local governments to extend public services to new residential communities whose tax payments often do not cover the cost of providing those services.


Infrastructure planning directs new growth into previously developed areas, discouraging low-density development. By encouraging housing growth in areas that are already provided with public services water, sewer, roads, schools, and emergency services communities not only save infrastructure development costs, but reduce the impacts of sprawl development on urban streams and water quality. The most significant impact of sprawl development comes from the increase in impervious cover that is associated with sprawl growth. In addition to rooftop impervious area from new development, extension of road systems and additions of paved surface from driveways create an overall increase in imperviousness. This increase in the impervious cover directly influences local streams and water quality by increasing the volume of storm water runoff. These elevated runoff levels impact urban streams in several ways, including enlarging stream channels, increasing sediment and pollutant loads, degrading stream habitat, and reducing aquatic diversity (Schueler, 1995). Sprawl has been reported to generate 43 percent more runoff that contains three times greater sediment loads than traditional development (SCCCL, 1995). Sprawl development typically occurs in areas not served by centralized sewer or water services. This requires new housing developments to use septic systems or another form of on-site wastewater

disposal to treat household sewage. These on-site treatment systems can represent a significant source of nutrients and bacteria that affect both surface waters and groundwater. Various techniques have been used to manage urban growth while conserving resources. Each of the techniques recognizes that directing growth to areas that have been previously developed or promoting higher density development in areas where services exist prevents sprawl development and helps communities to mitigate the water quality impacts of economic growth.

Strategy 4 Rebuild Pittsfield’s urban forestry program, enact an ordinance for the care, planting and maintenance of trees and consider re-establishing the Shade Tree Commission. The purposes of the Shade Tree Commission are to preserve and maintain as many trees within the city as possible. Through an urban forestry program and a shade tree ordinance, the Shade Tree Commission would ensure the reduction in tree loss during development; the reduction of damage to standing trees during construction; the provision replacement trees for trees lost during construction; the planting of trees where none occurred previously; the maintenance of preserved trees after


construction is completed; the health of trees in our parks, right of ways and urban areas; increasing public education and support for urban forestry; and the generation of funds from the foundation community, the corporate community, the citizens and the private sector to support urban forestry.

Strategy 5 Develop a Parks System Master Plan.

The city’s park system consists of 28 parks and playgrounds and 14 school grounds totaling approximately 1,203.89 acres. This system is owned and maintained by the city for the primary purpose of recreation. Although the city has completed an Open Space and Recreation Plan, this does not serve the same role as a system wide master plan. A master plan for the parks system would evaluate each park and guide the development of parks and recreation facilities through the next five to ten years. The plan would include projects to maintain, rehabilitate, and renovate existing parks and to continue to address specific needs within the city. Strategy 5A Address the need for dedicated playing fields for seasonal sports (i.e., baseball, football, and soccer) to address their unique needs and provide quality fields. Through the public participation process it was learned that there are issues within the city of conflicting uses for shared fields. Football has always been a popular team sport and lacrosse has

become increasingly common. However, these sports often tear up the fields. In many cases these sports are played on synthetic turf to address this issue. Unfortunately, with no synthetic turf available in the city the result is damaged fields. All of the fields throughout the city are used for a variety of purposes. There are no fields that are dedicated to specific sports, such as football and lacrosse. This often creates problems for use of the fields for other sports. Fields that have been torn up by football and lacrosse are not conducive to soccer. The fields in the city are used nearly all year long and there is no time for fields to recover before being used again. Additional problems arise when seasonal sports conflict with non-seasonal sports or with overlapping seasons. Soccer is played all year long. With all of the fields being used for all types of sports activities the fields that are being used for football or lacrosse are no longer available to soccer. Several strategies would be helpful in addressing this issue. One possible strategy involves creating a turf field. With the large number of fields throughout the city it would be relatively simple to select an appropriate field to convert to turf. This would limit the damage that results from some sports and keep the field in good condition all year long for a variety of sports. A second option is the rotation of fields. This would require that some fields are not used for a season in order to recover or be restored to the proper


condition. Another strategy involves dedicating fields to specific sports. This would keep fields available for soccer all year long and eliminate the problems that result from using soccer fields that have been torn up by football and lacrosse. For seasonal sports this would work in a similar manner as rotating the fields and allowing for their recovery. These issues are not limited to the sports previously mentioned. Although baseball and softball are played on a diamond, there are limited diamonds within the city. Some fields are used, informally, for baseball. The year long nature of soccer and the damage to fields caused by football and lacrosse limit the availability of quality fields for baseball. Strategy 5B Organize community efforts to help maintain the park system and draw on additional in-kind support from neighbors and local businesses for park construction (work days), clean up, ongoing maintenance, and neighborhood spirit. The city is responsible for maintaining over 1,837 acres of parklands, including city parks and adjacent greenspace, median strips and traffic islands, and most park facilities and infrastructure. Priority maintenance services – including mowing, trash pick-up, and facility cleaning – are performed on a regularly scheduled basis. Remaining staff time is used to accomplish less essential duties, with a focus on providing an equal level of service to all city parks. The city also responds to specific citizen requests for

park maintenance, which are prioritized based upon safety/urgency and staff availability. Volunteer park maintenance efforts could provide an extremely important role in maintaining a high-quality city park system. Neighborhood associations, sports leagues, clubs, and other community groups can play a vital role in city park maintenance by informing residents about ways to participate in park maintenance and by organizing volunteer park maintenance projects and events. Madison, Wisconsin has established the “People for Parks Program”. Citizens and neighborhood associations can work with the Madison Parks Division to propose and perform volunteer park maintenance activities. The Parks Division’s Outreach Coordinator helps volunteers develop and obtain approval for proposals and can also arrange for equipment and debris pick-up assistance from the Parks Division. Volunteer maintenance activities can include collection of trash, recyclables, leaves, and brush, as well as approved weeding and trimming tasks. In Pittsfield, individual efforts have been conducted by groups such as the Friends of Pontoosuc Lake / Watershed Corporation. The “Friends” organize clean-ups at least once a year in the spring. Volunteers participate in cleanups at their leisure. The Friends arrange for trash, recyclables, leaves, and brush to be picked up at several predetermined locations. The Friends have


been successful in obtaining donations for materials such as garbage bags and gloves, and have recruited additional man power through the Sheriff’s Department. During the public participation process it was learned that many more groups are interested in volunteering to cleanup and maintain the facilities that they use. However, many of these groups expressed frustration that in the past they have been unable to receive permission from the city or regular access to the facilities. Strategy 5C Utilize CDBG funding, insofar as possible, to address the need for redevelopment of parks and playgrounds serving lowincome families and individuals. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federal program aimed at creating viable communities by providing funds to improve housing, the living environment and economic opportunities principally for persons with low and moderate incomes. At least 70% of the CDBG funds received by a jurisdiction must be spent to benefit people with low and moderate incomes. The remaining 30% can be used to aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or to meet an urgent need such as hurricane, earthquake or flood relief. Seventy percent of each annual appropriation is automatically distributed to cities with more than 50,000 in population and counties with more than 200,000. These are called entitlement

jurisdictions. The remaining 30% goes to states for distribution to their small towns and rural counties. The following twenty-one (21) parks are eligible for CDBG funding. > Bellanger Youth Athletic Fac. > Brattlebrook Park > Burbank Park > Clapp Park > Crane Playground > Crow Playground > Deming Park > Dorthy Amos Playground > Dunham Mall > Lakewood Park > Marchesio Memorial Park > Onota Dam Cons. Area > Osceola Park > Park Square > Persip Park > Pitt Playground > Sotille Park > Springside Park > The Common > Tucker Playground > Wahconah Park The top priorities for CDBG funding are the Westside and Morningside neighborhoods. Modest improvements to existing facilities are needed at Crane and Crow Playgrounds. Both Sotille and Persip Park are in need of complete rehabilitation including new lighting and common seating areas. The Common is a priority park in downtown Pittsfield. It is important to maximize the connectivity of the park with the downtown and the Morningside and


Westside neighborhoods. The first step in improvements to the Common is to develop a common vision for the park and a strategy to achieve that vision. Strategy 5D Investigate the development of multi-use indoor and outdoor recreation facility to address the growing variety of recreation needs, including turf fields, basketball courts, hockey rinks, and ice skating rinks (speed skating and figure skating). Through the community dialogue on sports and athletics it became abundantly clear that the current facilities do not fully meet the needs of the community. The community desires a multi-use indoor and outdoor recreational facility to meet many needs that are not being met by current facilities. Unmet needs that have been identified include limited availability of ice skating rinks for hockey, figure skating, and speed skating, inadequate access to certain facilities, no available turf fields, and no ability to support or host many events. Most leagues and teams, including those for children, require that the participants travel beyond the city’s limits and often beyond the county limits because the present facilities cannot support their needs. A state of the art multi-use indoor and outdoor recreational facility can serve as a gathering place which provides innovative growth and enrichment opportunities for the community and connects people of

all ages, races and cultural backgrounds. A multi-purpose recreational facility can serve recreational needs of the community and provide space for community activities and educational and cultural programs and events. Such a facility would provide multiple benefits for the city and the region and could serve as the regional hub providing community spaces and meeting rooms for many community organizations and local and state government agencies. Currently, most groups have had to make the best of inadequate resources and are unable to find a location capable of hosting large events, conferences and training seminars. A state of the art multi-use recreational facility would foster quality recreational programs, facilities and services to a diverse population. Such a facility would provide new opportunities for indoor and outdoor recreation and events in the community. The city does not currently have enough facilities to meet the growing demands for recreation. In addition, the current facilities limit the city’s ability to support athletic leagues or host team tournaments, individual tournaments, or special events. The facility could include a gymnasium, fully equipped exercise room, turf fields, swimming pool, basketball courts, hockey rinks, ice skating rinks, game room, craft rooms, meeting rooms and community rooms.


Strategy 6 Support the city’s initiative to be designated as a bicycle friendly community.

A bicycle-friendly community provides safe accommodations for cyclists and encourages residents to bicycle for transportation and recreation. Pittsfield is utilizing a program of the League of American Bicyclists in Washington, D.C. to validate becoming a bicyclefriendly community, to assess its strengths, identify challenges and make commitments. In September 2008, Pittsfield was nominated for honorable mention as a bicycle friendly community. The city is eligible to apply for formal designation after a review of the current bike friendly initiatives that are already in place. To ensure that Pittsfield attains its goals, the city will concentrate its efforts in 5 areas: > Encouragement - Creating an environment that is conducive to more bicycle riding for fun, fitness and transportation. > Education - An informed citizenry, knowledgeable police, legislators and public officials and better training for engineers and planners in facility design. > Engineering - Creating a bicycle and pedestrian transportation system that allows users with varying abilities to safely and efficiently travel between destinations. > Enforcement - Equitable and

consistent enforcement of traffic laws affecting motorists and bicyclists. > Evaluation - Regular monitoring and performance evaluation of our progress toward becoming a bicyclefriendly community. Strategy 6A Extend the Ashuwillticook Trail from Lanesborough through Pittsfield with the potential for connections to Lenox. The community has expressed strong desire to extend the regional trail system and provide more opportunity for bicycling and walking. Creating linkages of greenspace between existing recreation and conservation areas can help the city to achieve this goal. The City of Pittsfield has been active in advancing community bike path planning over the past several years. The overall goal is to connect a main stem trail from the southerly terminus of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail to the proposed Lenox trail. It is envisioned that ‘spur trails’ connect important city features (William Stanley Business Park, city parks and schools, etc.) to the main trail. Community involvement in any bike path planning is critical, and the city has worked to advance bike path planning thoughtfully and with consensus. The city has identified three discrete planning projects to accomplish the overall goal of extending the trail from Lanesborough to Lenox. These projects include extending the Ashuwillticook Trail to Merrill Road via the current Housatonic Rail Road corridor, extending the trail from Merrill Road to the Elm Street / Williams


Street intersection, and extending the trail from Elm Street / Williams Street intersection to a point in Lenox. In 2007, the city initiated and completed a concept design for the extension of the Ashuwillticook Trail to the Elm Street / Williams Street intersection. The city hopes to secure 100% design and permitting for the extension to Merrill Road by 2009. Also in 2009, the city will be looking to initiate a concept design for the extension of the trail from the Elm Street / Williams Street intersection to a point in Lenox. The city has identified several funding sources to advance bike path connections. State funding was secured to complete the concept design extending the Ashuwillticook Trail to the Elm Street / Williams Street intersection. Current design concept work and public input for the extension of the trail was funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. This effort built upon the work conducted under an earlier grant that was secured in 2003 to complete initial concept work. The city is looking to advance the concept quickly to 100% design and permitting with construction in 2010. The city will be looking for assistance to fund the concept design of the trail from Elm Street / Williams Street intersection to a point in Lenox in 2008. Strategy 6B Support the development of bicycle and pedestrian paths and trails that spur from

the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. Numerous spurs off of the recommended and alternate routes of the extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail have been identified within the City of Pittsfield Bike and Pedestrian Trail Study (BSC Group 2007). These spurs can create connections to neighborhood centers, commercial areas, schools, playgrounds or parks. The development of spurs can move the city closer to its goal to become a bicycle friendly community, reduce dependence on automobiles, provide alternative forms of transportation, and could be an integral component of a Safe Routes to Schools initiative. Strategy 6C Investigate the feasibility of the inclusion of bicycle lanes during road rehabilitation and road construction projects and include bicycle lanes whenever feasible. Roadway reconstruction/rehabilitation projects provide opportunities to improve the environment for cyclists on a given roadway section. Depending on the available road right-of-way width, minor widenings may be possible to achieve wider curb lanes or potentially even bike lanes. The city should enact a standing policy on any road resurfacing or reconstruction project to provide wide curb lanes (4.0 m to 4.3 m) wherever possible. This policy should be extended to all arterial roads, along with any other opportunities to provide wider curb lane widths for cyclists.


Strategy 7 Implement the Westside Riverway Plan to create a greenway along the west branch of the Housatonic River that would connect Clapp Park and Wahconah Park.

Pittsfield’s strengths include its rivers and open space. In many areas, however, access to these places is limited. Existing development at times borders directly on the Housatonic River and, in many areas, natural resource spaces are disconnected. The AIA SDAT report recommended creating a community consensus on greenway corridors, site design standards, and areas of growth. Greenways and site design standards should be included in discussions on growth and should be an integral component of the process rather than a secondary consideration or even as a separate planning topic. Greenways provide access to Pittsfield’s natural resources, play and important role in quality of life and provide social capital. In addition, greenways are a key link to economic development and community planning. The AIA SDAT report recommended the development of a short greenway or trail within the city. In 2007, a greenway plan was developed for a portion of the West Branch of the Housatonic River from Wahconah Park to Clapp Park. This plan, referred to as the Westside Riverway, was funded under the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Urban River Visions 2 program.

Connections such as neighborhoods to schools, a park to another park, or a route that employees could take during lunch would be excellent opportunities for short greenways that noticeably impact the quality of life within the community. A well-designed trail with attractive amenities will build support for additional trails and greenways.


Open Space and Recreation / Natural Resource Protection – Goals & Strategies Strategies

Goals (w/ corresponding vision element)

Sustainable place economically and environmentally

Compassionate place


1. Protect, preserve and maintain natural resources and ensure adequate funding for open space and park planning as necessary to provide a high quality of life for Pittsfield’s residents as well as an adequate amount, variety, and distribution of open space and water resources.

2. Provide opportunities, resources, accessibility and quality facilities for both recreation and conservation uses to all citizens.

3. Develop while preserving traditional land use patterns, decreasing sprawl and protecting large open spaces.

1. Identify parcels for potential acquisition or other protections to preserve plant and animal habitats or for recreational use. 2. Expand the amount of privatelyheld open space through zoning, conservation subdivision design, development agreements, deed restrictions, and/or public private partnerships. 3. Promote development in areas with existing infrastructure and discourage growth in areas without sewers or in areas that have soils with severe limitations for on-site wastewater disposal. 4. Rebuild Pittsfield’s urban forestry program, enact an ordinance for the care, planning and maintenance of trees and consider re-establishing the Shade Tree Commission.





Compassionate place





5. Develop a Parks System Master Plan. A. Address the need for dedicated playing fields for seasonal sports to address their unique needs and provide quality fields. B. Organize community efforts to help maintain the park system and draw on additional in-kind support from neighborhoods and local businesses for park construction, clean-up, ongoing maintenance and neighborhood spirit. C. Utilize CDBG funding, insofar as possible, to address the redevelopment of parks and playgrounds serving low-income families. D. Investigate the development of multi-use indoor and outdoor recreation area(s) to address the growing variety of recreation needs, including turf fields, basketball courts, hockey rinks, and ice skating rinks (speed skating and figure skating).





Compassionate place





6. Support the city’s initiative to be designated as a bicycle friendly community. A. Extend the Ashuwillticook Trail from Lanesborough through Pittsfield with the potential for connections to Lenox. B. Support the development of bicycle and pedestrian paths and trails that spur from the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. C. Investigate the feasibility of the inclusion of bicycle lanes during road rehabilitation and road construction projects and include bicycle lanes whenever feasible. 7. Implement the Westside Riverway Plan to create a greenway along the west branch of the Housatonic River connecting Clapp Park and Wahconah Park.


6 open space & recreation and natural resource ... - City of Pittsfield

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