Parks board OKs badminton, keeps leadership
Other Committee · Meeting of August 17, 2026
Great Barrington Parks Commission reorganizes, launches town-run badminton program. Chair Ilana and Vice Chair Karen Smith were reappointed unanimously, and the board approved roughly $400 from its $2,625.40 revolving fund for badminton gear and a Grove Street basketball hoop. Member Paul Gibbons, joining by phone, warned "we don't have the money and we certainly don't have the staff" as commissioners ranked open space plan priorities, agreeing maintenance and roughly $200,000 in already-funded but unbuilt projects, including Grove Street courts, should come before anything new.
The board also recommended Laura Stevens for appointment, heard that Berkshire South is struggling to staff Lake Mansfield lifeguards, and approved a September 1 skate park event pending informal town sign-off.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,616 words
Source: the Other Committee meeting of August 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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