The Wahconah Park Project 2025

The Wahconah Park Project

Right Light Productions will be releasing a series of short videos about Wahconah Park—its past, present, and hoped-for future. With the City of Pittsfield needing $8–10 million to kickstart restoration, our hope is that this series helps in some way, or at least captures a bit of the magic that is Wahconah Park.

Click here to view the series. Multiple videos will be posted weekly through April 2025.

The views and opinions expressed in this video series are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the producer or of any entities they represent.

[February 2025]

The Story

From Shaun Laframboise (Creative Director at Right Light Productions)

As a high school kid in the 90’s, working at Wahconah Park was my first job. I did everything from singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in the press box to working the grill, leading 7th-inning stretches, and cleaning those old massive urinals the next morning. Often, it was just me, the GM, and the field crew prepping the park early for that night’s game, repeating the process daily. It was hard work, but I loved it. I then watched as the city debated moving the park across from Big Y, only for it to remain in place and later earn a spot on the National Register of Historic Places under Mayor Anne Wojtkowski.

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In recent years, my wife, two boys and I have rushed to Wahconah Park after our little league games for some baseball and a slice of Americana. Now, with the grandstand condemned and the Pittsfield Suns not playing there, there’s certainly a void there for us, which I can only assume is felt by many others as well.

This sentiment is what prompted me to capture more about the renovation process and the park itself. Over the coming months, I’ll share short videos—most 90 seconds or less—featuring stories and insights from those connected to Wahconah Park.

I realize there are pro’s and con’s and strong feelings that have a long history and valid points on both sides of the equation. I am not trying to tell the full story of Wahconah Park, nor lead the debate of its restoration.

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This video series is a passion project from a life long community member looking to present a bit of a love letter to Wahconah Park, which has provided the backdrop for so many things in Pittsfield since George Burbank first dedicated the land to baseball back in the late 1800’s.

Whether Wahconah Park is rebuilt or disappears into history (I sincerely hope not!), it has had an epic past. I aim to share a few glimpses of those days while inspiring hope for its future. My hope is these videos spark respectful dialogue, rally community and business support, and highlight some of the park’s cultural and economic value.

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Ultimately, I want to help accelerate the process of funding and approving a new park so future kids can create lifelong memories whether it’s cleaning (newly renovated) bathrooms at 7 a.m. on Saturday mornings or making the game winning catch on Pittsfield’s historic baseball field.

As Larry Moore, Director of Baseball in the Berkshires, said about our community: “Everybody has a story about Wahconah Park… everybody.” Maybe your story starts here, or maybe your story is steeped in the soil onto that field, in either case, Thank you for being here.

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While each video is meant to be experienced on their own, I will create an ordered playlist with which to view all the videos in a sequence.

To view (what will eventually be) that Full Playlist of this series, please go here.

For the most up to date information on the project you can go to the city website here.

Special Thanks

While I’ve accepted no funding for this project, it wouldn’t have been possible without the significant help of many people within our community. Here are some of them:

Allison Gemmel Laframboise and my two boys, Kairos and Tayo – who’ve listened, watched, re-watched and gave immensely helpful feedback on these videos during the editing process throughout these past few months
Jim McGrath and City of Pittsfield Parks Department
Larry Moore – Director of Baseball in the Berkshires
S3 Designs – Athletic Design Company
Bryan House – Former MiLB Player with the Chicago Cubs Organization
“Banjo Joe” Ryan – Former President of the City Council and Community Treasure
Rhonda Serre – Ward 7 City Councilor
Billy Madewell IV – Pittsfield Suns Director of Broadcasting
Sander Stotland – General Manager and Minority Owner of the Pittsfield Suns
Howard Herman – Sports Writer at the Berkshire Eagle
Dave Haber – Happy Pants NYC
Dave Laczak & Donald Warfield – Local History Berkshire Athenaeum
PCTV – For providing much needed historical footage – David Cachat, Shawn Serre, Matthew Tucker
Howard Herman – Sports writer/columnist at New England Newspapers/Berkshire Eagle
Lindsey Schmid – Sr. Vice President of Tourism & Marketing at 1Berkshire
Kevin Pink – Deputy Director of Economic Development at 1Berkshire
Abe Guthrie and crew – The Stationary Factory
Rebecca Brien – Director of Downtown Pittsfield Inc.
Katie Rickard – Human Resources Specialist at City of Pittsfield
Jennifer Glockner – Director of Cultural Development for the City of Pittsfield
Robert Ireland – Community Builder and Inspirer
Andy McKeever – Community Planner at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC)
Will Knauth (and Family Ben, Carrie and Jake) – Esteemed Actor and Local Youth Baseball Player
Todd, Becky, Joe, Scott and Danny Hoffman – For being amazing Host Families to Sun’s players and for offering their photos
Lynn Page and Tony Dunne – New England Public Media
Hot Harry’s – for being a big part of Right Light staffs diet during productions
and many, many other friends and family that have lend an ear, a hand, or valuable advice along the way.