Governor Patrick Announces Funding for Environmental Projects in Lenox, Pittsfield

Press Release

Governor Patrick today joined state environmental officials and local officials to announce $1.2 million in capital funding to support environmental projects at Baker's Pond in Lenox and Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, enhancing existing natural habitats and improving recreational opportunities for residents.

"Growth requires investment, and creating and upgrading recreational parks and open spaces while also providing important community resources will help create growth and opportunity across the commonwealth," Patrick said. "This investment will improve the lives of Massachusetts children and families now and for generations to come."

The Patrick Administration's $125,000 investment in Baker's Pond will assist in the final phase of restoration of the Pond. The removal of invasive species and water quality improvements will preserve the habitat for wildlife species and make it a more appealing destination for visitors to Kennedy Park. Berkshire Community College's Life Sciences Department will work with the town to ensure proper removal of any invasive species and the complete restoration of the pond.

"Safe, reliable drinking water has always been a critical need. In the 21st Century, we will need to develop new technologies to meet growing demand," said Congressman Jim McGovern. "I'm pleased that the federal government is joining with the Commonwealth and UMass Amherst in this promising effort."

Baker's Pond has a history of recreational use but, after a small dam breach, the pond fell into disrepair resulting in the growth of invasive plant and animal species. With ongoing improvements, the pond is once again becoming an attraction for tourists and hikers, as well as a habitat for endangered amphibian species.

"Governor Patrick has been unyielding in his commitment to preserving our environment, ensuring that damaged habitats are restored and improving quality of life for residents across Massachusetts," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett. "These projects provide a place for communities to gather and give endangered species a place to thrive."

The City of Pittsfield was also awarded $1.1 million in funding to ensure proper drainage and wetland protection as Berkshire Community College works to construct an athletic field on campus, the first of its kind in Berkshire County. The athletic field location is north of a vernal pool, certified by the Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program, making it important for the project to be environmentally sensitive in order to preserve habitat for plants and animals.

Since taking office, Governor Deval Patrick has made a historic investment of more than $360 million in land conservation focused on three goals: investing in urban parks, preserving working farms and forests and protecting large natural landscapes for habitat. This investment has resulted in the permanent protection of more than 125,000 acres of land and the renovation or creation of more than 190 parks. The new parks and open space created are within a 10 minute walk of 1.5 million residents -- about a quarter of the Commonwealth's population.

"Governor Patrick has demonstrated a strong commitment to Pittsfield an Berkshire County," said Mayor Daniel Bianchi. "The City of Pittsfield is pleased to join the Governor in a financial commitment for the environmental restoration and construction of the new Berkshire Community College turf field. The new field will provide an athletic hub from Berkshire County and beyond. I look forward to the new events that the BCC turf field will bring to Pittsfield."

"The very best part of this project is the way community members, local coaches, and league officials drove this project," said Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier. "By identifying this need and forming a strong team with officials from Berkshire Community College to address it, they have demonstrated the ability of our local community to problem-solve from within, and their collaboration and teamwork is certainly paying off today."

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