Parks Commission OKs Wahconah Park Event, Clapp Park Dugouts
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Baseball dugouts are planned for Clapp Park, and in April, the community will have one last look inside the historic Wahconah Park grandstand before it is demolished.
On Tuesday, the Parks Commission approved a "Farewell to the Grandstand at Wahconah Park" event to be held on April 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Jennifer VanBramer explained that the event will allow the community to see the more than 100-year-old structure before it comes down later in the spring.
"Attendees will be able to go up to the top of the ramp to get a look into the grandstand for one last chance and quick photo op, but they can't get any further due to safety concerns," she explained.
The property at 105 Wahconah St. has drawn attention for several years after the grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022. Planners have determined that starting from square one is the best option; a $15 million rebuild is on the table.
There will be speeches from city officials and Baseball in the Berkshire Director Larry Moore, a slideshow with old photographs and memories shared from the community, a table with renderings of the new grandstand, a memory table, and a story booth where short interviews can be recorded.
"Ernie the Hot Dog Guy" is also confirmed as a food vendor.
"We're looking forward to great weather, and unfortunately, we won't be able to get everyone fully into the grandstand, but certainly we'll be able to have folks view the grandstand from the safe areas of the grandstand," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained.
Demolition of the grandstand will begin the week of April 13 with hazardous material removal.
By the end of the month, the city hopes to have a full cost estimate and plans for the next iteration of the grandstand. McGrath asked the commission to consider having a meeting the first week of April to review those plans, as the mayor "really" wants to move things forward.
"A timeline that he may be envisioning is to bring to the council an authorization in April, perhaps before your next meeting, so I think it's important that if the mayor does decide to bring this forward at that time, that this Parks Commission has reviewed the plans and hopefully endorsed the plan so that that there can be an understanding from the council that the commission has reviewed these, the commission has approved these," McGrath said.
"And that the next step can be, we can all take the next step together relative to the financing of the project."
The grandstand's new, cost-saving design decouples the bathrooms and concessions into smaller buildings elevated about five feet to meet the 100-year floodplain. An accessible ramp and porch would lead to the structures, and the grandstand would have a slightly narrower footprint.
If begun this summer, construction would be complete in the spring of 2027.
The commission also supported the concept of dugouts for baseball players at Clapp Park. They will stay in touch with Pittsfield Babe Ruth as planning unfolds, and advocate for any city resources available for the project.
Pittsfield Babe Ruth President David Wildgoose explained that the idea has been kicked around for a long time, and they think it is time to act on it. Four organizations use the Buddy Pellerin Field at Clapp Park for baseball, and it is Pittsfield High School's main playing field.
"A lot of teams are using it throughout the summer. It's one of the handful of fields around the city that do not have dugouts," Wildgoose said.
He said they have been trying to build momentum around the baseball program in the community and "this is an important aspect of doing that."
The dugouts will be as close to the fence as possible at first and third base, outlined at 32 feet but could be slightly shorter.
The baseball organization will try to avoid asking for city funds, but may request some help with site preparation, and plans to use as much volunteer labor and donated materials as possible. Reportedly, the head coach of the PHS baseball team has committed to raising funds for the dugout build.
"There's a substantial cost, but I think a substantial benefit. I think a baseball field should have a structure that protects the players," Wildgoose said, explaining that when the players have to scramble to get out of a rainstorm, their gear isn't protected.
Commissioner Anthony DeMartino said that when the Pellerin community came together to rehabilitate the field, the plan was to hopefully have dugouts someday.
"There's always going to be concerns about security and safety down there, there is at every park. Anytime you create a structure, we have to make sure that it's going to be as durable as possible, and as I'll say, policed as possible," he said, adding that it is a highly visible area, which is helpful.
Tags: baseball, public parks, Wahconah Park,
