Image courtesy of Regina Burgio.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts is home to an array of outdoor activities from hiking to skiing to swimming, with ways to connect with nature in all four seasons. We are home to Pontoosuc and Onota Lake, the Pittsfield State Forrest, multiple conservation areas, Bousquet Mountain, and Berkshire County’s largest skate and BMX park, the Pittsfield Skate Plaza. Clapp Park and The Common feature splash pads in the summer, and in the winter, Osceola and Clapp parks provide the ideal spot for sledding and tubing. And we would be remiss not to mention the breathtaking foliage in the fall!
Recently, many of us have taken to the outdoors… to escape, stay fit, and feel connected to our planet. Pittsfield has many beautiful spots to unplug and appreciate nature’s wonders. The Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC), a nonprofit, charitable organization that works to protect and conserve lands throughout Berkshire County, maintains trails and reserves that are free and open to the public; two of which have trailheads located in Pittsfield. Both Pittsfield locations are great for hikers or snowshoers, and you are welcome to walk your dogs there too. BNRC’s Mahanna Cobble Trail, which begins at Bousquet Ski Area, is a difficult 3.2-mile, out-and-back trail featuring gorgeous views south in all seasons. The Boulders Reserve, which can be accessed from trailheads in Pittsfield or Dalton, features 645 acres, over six miles of trails, and a vista to the west. The trails, ranging from easy to moderate, are also perfect for jogging, biking, and cross-country skiing.
The City of Pittsfield maintains multiple conservation areas; among them the 74-acre Barkerville Conservation Area, the 112.5-acre Wild Acres, and the 10.2-acre Fred Garner Park, all of which feature hiking trails that are free and open to the public. Wild Acres also features a youth fishing pond, observation tower, and picnic pavilion; and Fred Garner Park features a canoe launch to the Housatonic River
The 65-acre Pittsfield State Forest features 35 miles of trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Enjoy camping, picnicking, and swimming at the scenic Berry Pond. Canoes and kayaks are welcomed. The State Forest also features an accessible, .75-mile, paved trail through the forest. Parking fees apply, please visit mass.gov/locations/pittsfield-state-forest for more information.
Canoe Meadows, a 253-acre Wildlife Sanctuary operated by Mass Audubon, attracts warblers, turtles, ospreys, and otters to its scenic woods, fields, and wetlands along the edge of the Housatonic River. Enjoy 3 miles of gentle, well-marked walking trails and a 4.5-acre community garden. Canoe Meadows is free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated.
The 188-acre Burbank Park at Onota Lake features a swimming beach, fishing pier, public boat launch, bath house, picnic areas, playground, paved scenic walkway, and Pittsfield’s first dog park. Pontoosuc Lake Park, 23-acres, features swimming, a public boat launch, and picnic areas.
Treat yourself to a day on Pontoosuc Lake with a pontoon boat from Berkshire U-Drive Boat Rental, or visit Onota Boat Livery on Onota Lake to rent rowboats, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, small fishing boats, or a pontoon boat. Onota Boat Livery is also your one-stop shop for fishing tackle, live bait, and ice fishing supplies. Berkshire Community Rowing, based on Onota Lake, offers rowing experiences and lessons for people of all ages.
Bousquet Mountain is a 200-acre ski area at the edge of Pittsfield which features a vertical drop of 750 feet, twenty-four trails, two lifts, two magic carpets, a ski and snowboard terrain park, tubing, and 85% snowmaking coverage.
The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is a paved, 10-foot-wide biking, running, and walking trail running through Pittsfield, Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Adams. Enjoy scenic views of wildlife, the Cheshire Reservoir, and the Hoosic River. Fishing, roller blading, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are also welcomed. Free parking at the Crane Avenue entrance in Pittsfield, and open to the public year-round.
The 246-acre Springside Park features the Vincent J. Hebert Arboretum (a living tree library), colorful butterfly and hummingbird gardens, a peaceful Memory Garden, the Vincent J. Hebert Lilac Walk, and Springside Pond. The park also features a handicap accessible playground; walking, running, and mountain biking trails; and the Springside House, formerly the house of Abraham Burbank in 1860, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
There are also serene trails to enjoy at our historic and cultural destinations. The grounds at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead and the nature trails behind the barn are open year-round, sunrise to sunset, for public use, and there are numerous trailheads with historical significance at Hancock Shaker Village. Visit the Farm & Forest Trail during your visit to the Village, or hike well-marked, public trails starting on the north side of Route 20, year-round.
WALKING/RUNNING/HIKING
Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass Audubon
Holmes Rd. (264 acres) | 413-637-0320 | massaudubon.org
Located just one mile from the center of Pittsfield, Canoe Meadows features three miles of trails winding through scenic woods, fields, and wetlands; attracting birds such as bobolinks, ospreys, and great blue herons; and along the edge of the Housatonic River. Keep your eyes open for signs of beavers, otters, and wild turkeys while exploring Canoe Meadows.
Pittsfield State Forest
1041 Cascade St. | 413-442-8992 | mass.gov/locations/pittsfield-state-forest
Streams, waterfalls and flowering shrubs abound in Pittsfield State Forest, including 65 acres of wild azalea fields that are a profusion of pink blossoms in June. The forest has two camping areas, two picnic areas, an outdoor auditorium, and a swimming beach at scenic Berry Pond. The striking vista from the top of Berry Mountain, accessible by automobile from April to December, is a great place to watch the sun set. Thirty miles of trails include the paved three-quarter mile Tranquility Trail. A wheelchair-accessible picnic area and restroom are located nearby.
2-Mile Walking Loops
The loops are marked with green signage along the way to guide pedestrians.
Downtown Loop – The Colonial Theatre on South Street, around Park Square, up North Street to Berkshire Medical Center and then loop back to where you started.
Morningside Loop – Corner of Tyler Street and Woodlawn Avenue to The Common via First Street, looping back to the Tyler and Woodlawn intersection.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Pittsfield State Forest
Springside Park
BIKE AND SKATE PARK
Pittsfield Skate Plaza
1 Appleton Ave.
The newest skate and BMX facility in Western Massachusetts, the Pittsfield Skate Plaza is a full concrete park with a plethora of freestyle skating and biking features like spines, ramps and a bowl.
LAKES
Burbank Park at Onota Lake
500 Lakeway Drive (188 acres)
Fishing Pier, Public Boat Launch, Swimming Beach, Bath House, Picnic Areas, Playground, Sitting Areas, Controy Pavilion, Trails.
Fall on Onota Lake. Photo Credit Regina Burgio
Pontoosuc Lake Park
40 Hancock Rd. (23 acres)
Public Boat Launch, Swimming, Picnic Areas.
Berkshire Community Rowing (BCR, also BRASS)
Cuyler Boathouse on Onota Lake | 413-442-7769 | berkshirerowing.com
Adjacent to the public boat launch. Dedicated to teaching rowing in single sculls and crew boats for pleasure and competition.
Onota Boat Livery
463 Pecks Rd. | 413-442-1724 | onotaboat.com
Rents canoes, kayaks, sail and motor boats, and pontoons on nearby Onota Lake.
Berkshire U-Drive Boat Rental
1651 North St. (Route 7) | 413-281-4196 | berkshireudriveboatrentals.com
Boat rentals on Pontoosuc Lake.
Fishing Licenses
413-684-1646 | masswildlife.org
Fishing licenses are required for all persons, ages 15 and older. Licenses can be obtained by contacting the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
GOLF COURSES (PUBLIC)
General Electric Athletic Association (GEAA) – 9 hole
303 Crane Ave. | 413-443-5746 | geaagolf.com
TENNIS COURTS (PUBLIC)
Herberg Middle School
501 Pomeroy Ave.
Reid Middle School
950 North St.
Lakewood Park
301 Newell St.
SKIING, SNOWBOARDING & SLEDDING
For sledding, see Parks, Osceola & Clapp
For cross-country skiing, see Pittsfield State Forest
Bousquet Mountain
101 Dan Fox Dr. | 413-442-8985 | bousquetmountain.com
Bousquet Mountain is a 200-acre ski area at the edge of Pittsfield which features a vertical drop of 750 feet, twenty-four trails, two lifts, two magic carpets, a ski and snowboard terrain park, tubing, and 85% snowmaking coverage.
Tubing at Bousquet. Photo credit Ogden Gigli
CITY PARKS
Allen Heights
150 Windsor Ave. (2.3 acres)
Playground, Athletic Field
Kellogg Park/Alphabet Park
44 Lincoln St
A corner park in Pittsfield’s densely populated Morningside neighborhood, this space was designed in partnership with the local elementary school as an outdoor classroom to inspire literary, spatial, and mathematical learning. The 26 concrete sculptural forms at the park each represent a letter of the alphabet. This project was funded by local social-impact investment group, Mill Town Capital, and was designed by Group AU (Architecture + Urbanism).
Belanger Youth Athletic Facility
375 Newell St. (5.5 acres)
Playground, Little League Complex, Walking Track
Carrie Bak Park
150 Danforth St. (0.7 acres)
Playground, Wildlife Viewing Tower, Picnic Area
Christopher R. Porter Memorial Park
37 Highland Ave. (2.3 acres)
Play Equipment
Clapp Park
233 West Housatonic St. (33 acres)
Playground, Splash Pad, Athletic Field, Baseball Fields, Basketball Court, Walking Track, Sledding Hill
Coolidge Park
220 West Union St. (28 acres)
Athletic Fields, Trails
Crane Park
100 Dartmouth St. (1.9 acres)
In-line Hockey Rink, Basketball Court, Swings
Deming Park
84 Meadow Lane (9.6 acres)
Baseball Fields, Basketball Court, Playground
Dorothy Amos Park
320 West St. (2.1 acres)
Playground, Basketball Courts, Sitting Area
Durant Park
30 John St. (2.1 acres)
Playground, Basketball Court, Softball Field, Picnic Area, Sitting Areas
First Street Common
100 First St. (7.1 acres)
Playground, Basketball Court, Splash Pad, Performance Pavilion, Sculpture Lawn, Picnic Area, & Outdoor Events
Kirvin Park
974 Williams St. (227 acres)
Playground, Athletic Fields, Basketball Court, Disc Golf, Walking Trails
Lakewood Park
301 Newell St. (6.3 acres)
Tennis Courts, Basketball Court, Athletic Fields
Lebanon Park
185 Lebanon Ave. (6 acres)
Play Equipment, Athletic Field, Basketball Court
Marchisio Park
276 Dalton Division Rd. (19 acres)
Basketball Court, Volleyball Courts, Playground, Athletic Fields
Osceola Park
50 Osceola St. (9 acres)
Basketball Court, Athletic Fields, Play Equipment, Sledding Hill with Rope Tow
Park Square
1 Bank Row (0.7 acres)
Fountain, Monuments, Sitting Area, Flower Beds
Persip Park
175 North St. (0.1 acres)
Performance Area, Sitting Area
Raymond Crow Park
25 Winter St. (0.9 acres)
Playground, Picnic Area, Basketball Court
Sottile Park
200 North St. (0.1 acres)
Sitting Area
South Street Memorial Park
295 South St. (2.2 acres)
Veterans Memorial, Sitting Area
Springside Park
874 North St. (246 acres)
Springside House, Vincent J. Hebert Arboretum, Gardens, Trails, Girls Softball Complex, Little League Field, Handicap Accessible Playground, Basketball Court, Springside Pond
Tucker Park
190 Robbins Ave. (0.8 acres)
Playground, Tot-Lot Playground, Basketball Court
Wellesley Park
50 Wellesley St. (1 acre)
Sitting Area
West Memorial Park
50 Cheshire Rd., Route 8 (4 acres)
Play Equipment, Athletic Fields
Westside Riverway Park
181 Dewey Ave
The Westside Riverway Park unites social and ecological goals in the heart of a historic neighborhood. The linear pavilion acts as bridge between the street and the water, providing seating and a stage to revive a tradition of Block Parties, and a canoe launch for recreation and stewardship of the Housatonic River. The shaped landscape creates gathering points within a large lawn, bounded by a buffer zone of native plantings. This neighborhood park was designed and programmed through two years of community visioning.
Wahconah Park
105 Wahconah St. (102 acres)
Baseball Stadium, Athletic Fields, Basketball Court
Wahconah Park features an atmospheric minor league ballpark, recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. One of the last remaining ballparks in the United States with a wooden grandstand, it was constructed in 1919 and seats 4,500. Wahconah Park’s classic and intimate design offers fans a ballpark experience that harkens back to the early decades of attending a ballgame. The stadium is currently home to the Pittsfield Suns of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. pittsfieldsuns.com
CONSERVATION AREAS
Barkerville Conservation Area
320 Barker Rd. (74 acres)
Hiking Trails and Open Space
Brattlebrook Park
200 Longview Terrace (138 acres)
Nature Area
Fred Garner River Park
300 Pomeroy Ave. (10.2 acres)
Canoe Launch, Athletic Field, Nature Trails
Tierney Conservation Area
180 Jason St. (47 acres)
Nature Area
Wild Acres
500 South Mountain Rd. (112.5 acres)
Youth Fishing Pond, Observation Tower, Nature Trails, Picnic Pavilion