Documents
Springside Park in Pittsfield, Massachusetts is on National Register of Historic Places. The Vincent J. Hebert Arboretum is throughout the whole of Springside Park and is a 501 (c) (3) organization.
From the deed to the park (below): "In 1910, Kelton B. Miller of Pittsfield, with affection, bequeathed to the city of Pittsfield...He stated, 'This land is to have and to hold forever as a public park.' Two conditions were stipulated: 'That it be maintained as a public park and that it be reasonably improved forever.' Read it for yourself:
Read about it and weep...a "pump" track proposal from Powder Horn LLC of New Hampshire (listed online at the NH Secretary of State's Website as "not in good standing.") In good conscience, using your highest self, in your opinion, do you feel the intent of the Miller condition for "reasonably improved" would include the raucous activity of a mountain bike park? The proposal describes asphalt, taking a historic ball field, kiddy play area...for wealthy (and many out-of-town) "shredders." How will they deal with parking, traffic, waste management? Who will lock up the park and/or make it available to the general public, not just NEMBA members? Is this fair? Is it right? Come to the Sept. 21st meeting at Pittsfield, MA City Hall, 6 pm and listen--and likely have your last chance to speak. The city is trying to shove this through, quietly, despite what they aver.
Current reports show that the proposal from NEMBA (New England Mountain Biking Association) complex allegedly will take seven acres of parkland for a pump track, (including a long-used baseball field, a kiddie playground area) affecting the whole park, because underground water and geologic structures (and animals) don't know boundaries. They are all connected as parts of one ecological whole. The water flows down and reaches tributaries that flow into the Housatonic. This actually affects all of Berkshire County.
