No Lifeguards at Onota Lake This Summer, Pittsfield Says

Pittsfield and The Berkshires has some pretty clean and relaxing spots to hang out and swim, but heads up if you're planning use Burbank Park this summer. The City of Pittsfield says there won't be any lifeguards watching the beach or the water at Onota Lake for the entire 2026 season.

The city started looking for lifeguards back in March. After months of trying, they still couldn't find enough qualified people to fill the jobs. So for now, the swimming area at Burbank Park is on your own.

That means if you swim there, you're doing it at your own risk. Onota Lake is a natural lake, not a pool, and it comes with real hazards. The water depth can change without warning. The water can be cold enough to cramp up your muscles or throw off your swimming. There are rocks, logs, and plants under the surface you can't see. Currents can be unpredictable. And nobody is checking the lake bottom to make sure it's safe.

The city is stressing this part: kids and weak swimmers should not be in the water without an adult right next to them. And nobody, of any age, should swim alone.

There's no emergency crew stationed at the park either. If something goes wrong, you need to call 911 yourself.

The city says signs will go up around Burbank Park warning people about all this.

They're also keeping the lifeguard job posting open, so if you or someone you know is certified, they still want to hear from you.