PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Be advised that lifeguards will not be present to monitor the beaches, water, and related activities like swimming at Burbank Park (Onota Lake) this summer.
The City of Pittsfield began a search for qualified lifeguards in March of 2026. After several months of unsuccessful attempts to fill the lifeguard positions, the city is unable to provide lifeguarding for the 2026 season.
Swimming in an unsupervised, natural body of water is inherently dangerous. Any person choosing to swim does so at their own risk. Swimmers should also be aware of boaters and other vehicles that utilize the water and use caution when swimming in the lake.
Onota Lake is a natural body of water with risks that include, but are not limited to:
Sudden and unexpected changes in water depth.
Cold water temperatures that can impair swimming ability.
Underwater hazards such as rocks, logs, and vegetation.
Unpredictable currents.
The lake bottom is not inspected or maintained for safety.
CHILDREN AND WEAK SWIMMERS SHOULD NOT USE THE SWIMMING AREA WITHOUT CLOSE ADULT SUPERVISION. NO ONE SHOULD SWIM ALONE.
There are no emergency services stationed at this park. In an emergency, call 911.
Signage will be available in various areas located throughout Burbank Park notifying the public of this message.
The city will continue to keep the job posting for lifeguards open and encourage qualified candidates with the proper certifications to apply. Interested applicants can find more information here: Careers | Job Application
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Free Vaccinations Available Throughout Berkshire County
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fall season is also the flu season, which means vaccine clinics are now available.
The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative will provide public vaccination clinics in Berkshire communities this fall, including the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. There are about 49 clinics.
The collaborative began during COVID-19 to help vaccinate people across Berkshire County. Berkshire Health Systems started the Get Vaccinated Berkshires website and still manages it. The group works with the Pittsfield Public Health Department, Community Health Programs, and the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative.
"The majority of people will always get the flu [vaccine] because, as I said, if you've ever gotten the flu, you will always get a flu vaccine because it's so bad. And just so you know, the flu is already in Berkshire County. It's an early season this year," said Leslie Drager, who is the senior public health nurse at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.
Drager said last year they issued 2,705 vaccines, with more than 1,100 of them being for COVID-19 and more than 1,500 being flu. In total, they were able to vaccinate 1,669 people in Central and North County, in addition to Pittsfield.
Drager also said she will be carrying three types of COVID vaccines this year, which is in high demand.
"We have a high demand of COVID vaccine, which is awesome," she said. "So we're doing a lot of COVID vaccines. Also, I provide Pfizer, and this year I have Moderna and the Novavax, which I think is real important to get out there because the Novavax, a lot of people want, people with long COVID. So I'm carrying all three vaccines this year, which I normally only carry the Pfizer."
Public health departments also can help people access other vaccines such as for measles or meningitis when they cannot get them through a pediatrician, she added.
Using the website, people are able to get vaccines even if they are homebound by filling out a form.
All public Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative clinics are free of charge, but registrants are asked to provide insurance information, when available, in order to defray costs. The clinics are open to anyone 6 months of age or older, the age group recommended to receive an annual flu vaccine and the latest COVID-19 vaccine.
"I always encourage everybody to wear a short sleeve shirt because it makes it a heck of a lot easier to get at," Drager said. "And children, we do carry the nasal flu, the live virus of nasal flu for kids that are afraid to get needles."
Registration is highly recommended for the clinics. Walk-ins may be accepted depending on the number of vaccine doses available at each clinic, with preference given to those who are registered.
"It's really important. I'm really encouraging vaccinations for the schools, because not only you know if the kids are vaccinated and the teachers are vaccinated, the schools won't have the flu go wild right through it," Drager said. "And of course, the best way to prevent infections: washing your hands. So don't touch your face, and wash your hands."
The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative will provide public vaccination clinics in Berkshire communities this fall, including the Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. There are about 49 clinics. click for more
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