Great Barrington Parks Commission Meeting - April 6, 2026

The Great Barrington Parks Commission held a meeting on April 6, 2026, to review multiple field and park usage requests, discuss maintenance standards, address geese mitigation at Lake Mansfield, and explore future fee structures for town facilities. Key actions included approving several seasonal permits, tabling one application, and planning for a fee discussion.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes of March 9, 2026, were approved with a motion by Terry and a second by Tom. Commissioner Debbie recused herself and abstained due to absence at the prior meeting.
• Miller’s Field Usage: A request from the Millers to use Memorial Field on Sundays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Thursdays 5–7 p.m. (consistent with past years) was approved by the chair and town manager under existing policy after the application was delayed in reaching the commission. The approval will be formally considered at the May 4 meeting.
• Monument Mountain High School Baseball: Use of Memorial Field for games was also approved by the chair and town manager, per policy.
• Berkshire School Baseball Field Use: The Berkshire School requested to use Memorial Field on Wednesday of the meeting week (their field was underwater). The commission conditionally approved, pending final check with DPW on field conditions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Bailey (resident, Housatonic): Expressed concern about the Mahaiwe Theater’s past gala on the baseball field, citing tent removal delays and debris left behind that could harm players. He suggested using the Dewey property as an alternative venue. He also noted the Mahaiwe group’s high revenue ($5.5 million in 2022) and assets ($12 million) and argued they should pay a significant fee for field use.
• Speaker during GB Little League discussion: Noted that over half of Little League participants are not Great Barrington residents, highlighting the need for a fair fee system.

Discussion Items

• Great Barrington Girls Softball (Sherry Ross): The league requested field use April 12–June 19 (originally), extended to June 30. Hours: Monday–Friday 4:30–8:30 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m.–12 p.m. The motion to approve passed unanimously after clarifying the player count (30 listed, but likely for both youth and senior leagues) and field maintenance expectations.
• Field Maintenance Requirements: The commission introduced a new “usage requirements” document covering pre-season, mid-season, and post-season meetings; training on raking and equipment; DPW-provided equipment; raking of clay after every use; and communication protocols. Leagues must also provide a code of conduct for parents, players, and coaches. The document applies to all leagues (Little League, Babe Ruth, Millers, etc.) and includes a licensee clause for reporting improvement needs.
• Atonic Improvement Committee – Commons Use (June 13 Event): The committee requested use of the Commons and the Hoosie Dome (rain backup) for a cheerleading event on June 13, 2026, expecting 1,200 attendees (up from 700–800 last year). Portable bathrooms (three) and a dumpster will be provided. The Hoosie Dome may be opened as overflow space. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Atonic Tree Planting Project: The committee, in conjunction with the Housatonic Beautiful Fund, plans to plant 28 trees in spring 2026 (10 on the rail trail, others on private property with permission). One ceremonial tree (a burr oak) will replace three service berries cut down in the Commons. The commission raised liability concerns about private citizens planting trees on town property; it was noted the tree committee would handle planting, and a waiver would be required. The DPW and town manager approve all locations. Approval was given unanimously pending proper waivers.
• Adult Softball Pickup (Laird Townsend): Request to use Olympian Meadows softball field on Sundays at 1 p.m. for pickup games was tabled because the applicant was not present. The commission will contact him to gather more information.
• Great Barrington Little League (Amanda Leavenworth, president): The league requested use of both fields (major and minor) from 3:30–8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.–4 p.m. weekends for the season. They have 12 teams (4 T-ball, 4 coach-pitch, 2 minors, 2 majors) with 143 kids enrolled. They also use practice fields in other towns. The commission discussed field size differences, interleague play (with Adams, Cheshire, Pittsfield, etc.), and maintenance responsibilities. The league agreed to help with after-season cleanup and to have a liaison (Toby) with DPW. Approved unanimously.
• Berkshire Youth Cheer – Time Extension: A previously approved event on May 15, 2026, was extended from 5–7 p.m. to 5–9 p.m. to include a pizza night. Approved without a formal vote (considered a minor change).
• Berkshire Rain (Chris Island): Request for field use was denied because all fields are already assigned to Babe Ruth, Millers, high school, and Berkshire School, with usage seven days a week from 4:30–8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.–6 p.m. weekends.
• Smash Stigma Event (Gary Pratt, Rural Recovery): Requested use of the Commons for the 10th anniversary event on June 12, 2026, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (two hours longer than previous years). The date falls on the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, but the organizer chose to proceed. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Berkshire Environmental Action Team (Chris Rembrandt): Requested permission to host a community engagement event at Old Maids Park on May 16, 2026 (rain date May 17) as part of an MVP grant for resilient design. No exclusive use. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Geese Mitigation at Lake Mansfield (GSMT): The commission reported that police and DPW will perform three daily visits to deter geese using non-lethal methods (flashers, snow fences, metallic ribbon, and air horns). Volunteers are not used due to liability concerns with devices like pop guns and lasers. The program is ongoing.
• Fees Discussion: The commission discussed the need to create a revenue stream for parks and facilities. A preliminary fee structure has been sent to Town Manager Liz for review. The commission emphasized that fees would apply to both for-profit and nonprofit users (including Little League and yoga) and could be offset by volunteer maintenance. The Lake Mansfield lifeguards and skate park staff will be funded via a separate warrant article rather than the general budget.
• Atonic Improvement Committee Update (Sarah, Chair): Reported progress on three core goals: (1) Community events (Earth Day, Berkshire Bus pilot, long table dinner, Halloween); (2) Tree and trail restoration ($300,000 raised for 28 trees, connecting Flag Rock trail to village core); (3) Public outdoor space improvements (flower fund for planters, inventory of potential improvement sites). The committee continues to work with the Housatonic Beautiful Fund (a 501c3) as fiscal sponsor.
• Minutes Posting Issue: Commissioner noted that approved minutes have not been posted on the town website since May 2025. The commission will follow up with Cara to resolve.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals:
  • Great Barrington Girls Softball (April 12–June 30) – unanimous.
  • Atonic Improvement Committee event (June 13) – unanimous.
  • Tree planting (28 trees, including Commons) – unanimous, with conditions on liability waiver.
  • Great Barrington Little League (full season) – unanimous.
  • Smash Stigma event (June 12) – unanimous.
  • Berkshire Environmental Action Team event (May 16/17) – unanimous.
  • Berkshire Youth Cheer time extension (May 15) – verbal approval.
  • Berkshire School baseball field (one-time) – conditional approval.
• Tabled: Laird Townsend adult softball request (applicant absent; commission to contact).
• Denied: Berkshire Rain field use (no availability).
• Next Steps:
  • Commission to place an item on the May 2026 agenda to discuss fee structures, including potential fees for large events like the Mahaiwe gala.
  • Leagues to submit codes of conduct at next meeting.
  • Commission to follow up on minutes posting with Town Hall staff.
  • The gees mitigation program will continue with paid staff (police/DPW) visits three times daily.
• Other: The commission emphasized that all field users must adhere to the new maintenance requirements and attend pre-season, mid-season, and post-season meetings.