From the Desk of Michael Canales, Town Administrator
Hi Carole, I was wondering if you could post this in the next Stockbridge Updates or send out an email to your readers, thank you in advance:
Stockbridge Seeks Community Input on Future of Pine Street Courts
At a recent Select Board meeting, members discussed the future of the Pine Street tennis and basketball courts—and now the Town is asking residents to help decide what comes next.
A representative from the Austen Riggs Center reminded the Board that the land housing the courts is not Town-owned. Instead, it is leased to the Town under a 99-year agreement, of which 55 years have already elapsed. The lease requires the Town to maintain the courts, a responsibility that has not been fulfilled. While Austen Riggs could reclaim the land due to noncompliance, they expressed a willingness to work cooperatively with the Town to find a solution.
Town Administrator Michael Canales noted that a simple resurfacing would not be sufficient. Due to structural issues with the base layers, full reconstruction is necessary. A recent estimate to rebuild the tennis courts came in at $215,000, and restoring both courts could total as much as $500,000.
Please note that similar public facilities—basketball and tennis courts—exist just one block away at the Town Offices, which offer additional amenities such as parking and restrooms. Furthermore, Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington, approximately 2.5 miles away, provides seven outdoor tennis courts, adding to the available recreational infrastructure in the area.
Given this context, the Select Board is considering the following options:
- Restore the tennis and basketball courts and continue the lease.
- Demolish the courts and return the land to Austen Riggs.
- Repurpose the space into a passive park (e.g., with concrete chess or checker tables), pending approval from Austen Riggs.
- Explore other creative alternatives for the site.
The Select Board invites residents to share their priorities for the site. Should the Town reinvest in the Pine Street courts? Your feedback is critical. Please email SelectBoard@stockbridge-ma.gov and consider attending the public meeting on July 24, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Let us know your thoughts in advance—your voice will help shape the future of this neighborhood resource.
