Pittsfield to put Pontoosuc Lake project out to bid this week.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Cost estimates for Pontoosuc Lake Park improvements are higher than expected but the project is being bid this week. American Rescue Plan Act funds are expected fill the gap.

Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath reported this to the Parks Commission last week. Once bidding is complete, the city plans to get right to construction.

"The cost estimate for the project came back higher than was anticipated when the final designs were completed. We got the estimate and it was several hundred thousand over budget," he said.

"So there was an appeal made to the city's American Rescue Plan and some additional funding was put toward this project."

The 23-acre parcel on Hancock Road, or the south side, will be focused on first. This area is being targeted for passive recreation, with the north side encouraged for swimming to protect resource areas and reduce conflict between swimmers and boaters.

The city had hoped for phase one to come in at about $500,000, which was secured through a matching grant from the state Executive Office of Energy Environmental Affairs.

Any overage above the budgeted amount will be covered by ARPA funding.

"We didn't need to close the park for some summer months and sort of displace people that like to enjoy that park," McGrath pointed out.

"So we'll get into that project after Labor Day but that's definitely happening."

He reported that the bidding has been delayed because the purchasing agent has been out but final pricing should be known in September.

"We should know what the final pricing is from contractors in mid-September and then we'll get under construction right away," he said, explaining that teams will do as much work as they can in the fall and finish the first phase in the spring.

The final design was approved by the Parks Commission in April and in July, the Conservation Commission issued 36 conditions for it. It is influenced by the legacy of the park and feedback that was provided through public outreach focused on maintenance, accessibility, safety, the ability to access water for swimming, and passive and active places within the park.

Five public hearings were held throughout the process.

South side improvements include:

• transforming the current grass path to a paved promenade with a boardwalk around the wetland area
• a gathering spot and overlook
• improving the health of the white pine trees
• some clearing of the west side to improve the views
• repairing the upper parking lot
• adding an accessible path that will come down to the boat parking lot and connect to the accessible path
• benches and picnic tables

The sloped area has an over 50-foot elevation difference from the upper parking lot to the lake.  

Last week, the ConCom issued orders of conditions for a 700-square-foot, circular concrete splash pad at Durant Park.

Full cost estimates have not been completed but based on recent repairs made to the Clapp Park splash pad, it is estimated to cost between $350,000 and $450,000.

This project will likely not be realized for a couple of years as funding needs to be secured.

"It's important to put a number on what this will cost so we can figure out how it will get funded," McGrath said.

"At present, there's no money lined up. We have no idea where we'll get the money but as always, there are ways we prioritize things and we'll figure out how to get the Durant Park splash pad programmed and built."

He added that it's a fun project and will be great for the little park.

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