By Marcia Parnell
Anyone interested in almost any type of outdoor activity has a new-and-improved tool to help them find and navigate recreational sites using the latest version of berkshiresoutside.org. Just scan the QR code provided here and you can choose from an array of outings sorted by 15 categories, including hiking, swimming, snowmobiling, off-road riding, fishing, horseback riding, and hunting—just to name a few. You may also choose to pick a location, like Becket, for example, and virtually every outdoor opportunity in town is listed. There are filters, too, which can help you zero in on designations like family friendly, low visitation, or for sites near public transportation.
The site was created and launched by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) early last year. In its first year 77,000 visitors viewed 167,000 pages during 103,000 sessions, with more than half on mobile devices. A key enhancement is that mobile users can now activate the “Find My Location” button on the map to help navigate trails. (Be sure to test in advance on your phone to confirm that location services are enabled in your phone’s settings.)
BRPC Assistant Director Laura Brennan explains, “There’s so much to explore in the Berkshires. We’re fortunate that a third of our land is protected and open to the public for all kinds of outdoor recreation activities. From our public outreach we learned that residents and visitors wanted a one-stop shop to learn more about all the Berkshires has to offer, including the many hidden gems that are often less crowded. That helps spread out the crowds and lessen the impact on delicate ecological systems.”
Whatever you like to do outdoors, berkshiresoutside.org can help you get out and navigate all that the region has to offer—everything from trailheads to tent sites and bike paths to beaches. Check it out.
