Great Barrington Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – November 2, 2026

The Great Barrington Parks and Recreation Commission met on November 2, 2026, to handle park-use approvals, review a revised parks usage fee schedule, and hear updates on trees, the skate park, Housatonic Dome facilities, lifeguards, and maintenance. The commission advanced the fee schedule to the Select Board, approved several use requests, and directed follow-up on several long-term park issues.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the September 15 meeting; Julie abstained because she was not present.
• Approved Extra Special Tees use of the Housatonic Dome on Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon, and Friday from 1 to 2 p.m., subject to an updated certificate of insurance naming the Town of Great Barrington as additional insured. The commission noted caution about conflicts with vaccine clinics.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cheryl Nellowak, representing Extra Special Tees, said the insurance submitted was not sufficient; the town needs a certificate naming the Town of Great Barrington as additional insured. She said she would coordinate with the group.
• Taylor Thompson, representing Southern Berkshire Athletics, presented a preliminary proposal to use the downstairs of the Housatonic Dome for volunteer strength-and-conditioning sessions for student athletes. She described herself as a licensed strength and conditioning coach with her own insurance and CPR training; she said the sessions would be offered at no cost to students and would emphasize injury prevention, Olympic lifts, and college athletic opportunities. Commissioners raised concerns about public access, legal egress, poor ventilation, single egress, equipment funding, and duplication of resources at Berkshire South. No vote was taken; the chair said she would do homework and continue the conversation.
• Chris presented revised tree planting and stump-circle ideas for the Housatonic park. Tiger presented a detailed skate park maintenance and upgrade list.

Discussion Items

• Holiday Stroll fireworks: The commission approved the December 12 Holiday Stroll fireworks request with setup at about 3 p.m., fireworks at about 7:10 p.m., and completion by about 7:30 p.m. Julie and Paul opposed; a next-morning cleanup walkthrough was requested.
• Parks usage fees: The commission reviewed a simplified draft fee schedule intended to replace an earlier 11-page draft. The goal was to approve it for transmittal to the Select Board and implementation on January 1, with collection logistics to be worked out afterward. Discussion covered open-ended waiver authority, parks jurisdiction including the gazebo, the definition of a season, in-kind services instead of licensing fees, private-event fees, community-benefit criteria, and reimbursement of direct town costs. The commission clarified that per session means per day and per season means per organization per calendar year; school district programming would carry no fee; qualifying community events would still face a $25 application fee that could be waived. Karen argued that a private-party fee should be $100 rather than $50. A motion to forward the schedule to the Select Board for review and approval, with details to be worked out, passed with no opposition.
• Trees: Chris met with DPW representative Steve Larkin and revised the request to two maples by the basketball court, two oaks on the other side of the lamppost near the skate park, and about three and a half native shade trees in the corner near the pool and skate park. Chris said no Parks and Recreation funds were requested and that she intended to raise money through a nonprofit, possibly the Friends of the Library, with trees costing roughly $60 each. A town donation form, schematic map, and Select Board approval are required.
• Stump circle: Chris proposed a ring of dead stumps on the playground wood chips at the Housatonic park for seating and play. Commissioners voiced no objections and were supportive; Tom asked to coordinate on existing trees and village common planning.
• Skate park: Tiger provided a list of needed updates and repairs, intended for Steve's parks assessment document. Tiger advocated a larger phased project over three to four years, with an estimated cost near $500,000. The discussion noted that CPA funds may be usable for renovation but not routine maintenance, and that the plaza area is heavily used and needs less work while the bowl and other elements may need replacement. Tiger planned to send a Google slide document with photos and to return as a standing agenda item.
• Operations and staff updates: myrec.com was tabled until full-time staff are in place at DPW and town administration. Steve reported a new admin starting Monday, a volunteer liability waiver pending approval, CPC projects tabled due to staffing, and plans to clear the Housatonic Dome meeting room and hang doors. Porta potties cost $1,099.98 per month; the commission supported removing them ASAP, with future discussion about football or other teams paying for their own toilets and about assessed team costs. A draft parks assessment was expected before the next meeting.
• Memorial tree: Julie reported that a memorial tree for Katie Silverman at South Street Park had been approved, and she offered four possible locations. The donation form was submitted to Ilana; Select Board approval is still needed, and the tree should be planted before the ground freezes. The tree committee was asked to handle the location.
• Lifeguards and budget: The commission discussed a likely similar budget situation next fiscal year and the importance of lifeguards. Bill and others were asked to look into grants to cover lifeguard costs. The chair noted that funding needs to be in place by January for May and June coverage.
• Off-leash dogs: Laura raised worsening off-leash dog problems in parks, calling them dangerous, frightening, and against the law, with little enforcement and no current animal control officer. Commissioners discussed signage, social media, and press-release outreach and suggested asking town administration for a campaign; no formal action was taken.
• Park program and dam updates: Chris gave a season update noting continued basketball and skating use, Tuesday and Thursday as busiest days, and resolved issues with skate-art tent shifts; funding for next season was discussed. Chris Remball reported that Mass Wildlife has an RFP out to select an engineer for Old Maids dam removal, with a contract later this year and designs for review in spring.
• Defibrillator: A commissioner asked that the Housatonic Dome defibrillator be checked for certification, pad dates, and battery status, and that defibrillator locations be clearly marked in town buildings.

Key Outcomes

• Approved September 15 minutes and the Extra Special Tees use request; approved the Holiday Stroll fireworks request with Julie and Paul opposed.
• Voted to forward the revised parks usage fee schedule to the Select Board for approval, targeting January 1 implementation, with details on collection and waivers to be resolved.
• Reappointed Karen Smith to the Community Preservation Committee; Karen agreed to provide a standing monthly report. CPC Step 1 applications are due November 6, with 7 to 9 applications expected and review continuing into December and early January.
• Took no vote on Taylor Thompson's Housatonic Dome strength-and-conditioning proposal; the chair will follow up and the matter remains for future discussion.
• Voiced support for the stump circle and directed tree donation paperwork and a schematic map; the Katie Silverman memorial tree awaits Select Board approval.
• Supported removal of porta potties and referred skate park needs into the parks assessment process; Tiger will send materials and return as a standing agenda item.
• Directed grant research for lifeguards and asked town administration for an off-leash dog awareness campaign.
• Next meeting was noted for December 14.