Broad Brook Greenway parking construction 

NORTHAMPTON — All Broad Brook Greenway access from Cooke Avenue, including parking and trail access, will be temporarily closed to all public access starting on or about Wednesday. The parking lot is estimated to open on or about May 15. There will be no parking along Cooke Avenue or Pines Edge Drive for public safety and construction vehicle access.

The North Farms Road entrance to the Broad Brook Greenway and Fitzgerald Lake, as well as all other trails within the Broad Brook Greenway, remain open.

Northampton Pickleball group to host event

NORTHAMPTON — Recently formed Friends of Northampton Pickleball will hold its kickoff fundraising event on Sunday, May 5, from 1:30-3 p.m., at the indoor pickleball courts at College Church on Pomeroy Terrace.

The event will feature Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra and Sen. Jo Comerford and include tutorials on the sport.

The nonprofit was created to represent an expanding community of players and to raise money to construct six fully accessible pickleball courts at Ray Ellerbrook Field. The funds raised will supplement the $350,000 in Community Preservation Funds awarded this fall to Northampton Parks and Recreation to build the courts.

In order to launch the project the organization must raise an additional $50,000 to solicit construction bids, and its leaders hope to raise another $50,000 to make significant improvements to the surrounding field complex, including bathrooms, a water fountain, and more. When completed, the courts will afford 24 people of all ages and abilities to play pickleball at any one time.

Evening pilot at Dean Campus to offer freetraining for adults

HOLYOKE — Holyoke High School Dean Campus is offering a new “Greater Holyoke Vocational Training After Dark” pilot program that will provide specialized training opportunities for adult learners — as well as students ages 16 and up — during evening hours.

The “After Dark” program will offer accessible career and technical education in two key tracks: Health assisting and advanced manufacturing.

Classes will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays from May 28 through June 28, at the Dean Tech Campus, 1045 Main St.

The Health Assisting track will allow students to earn certifications in OSHA-10, CPR for Health Providers, and First Aid, all of which are endorsed by the American Heart Association. The curriculum will cover a broad range of essential skills including patient care, medical terminology, infection control, and equipment handling.

The Advanced Manufacturing track will allow students to earn an Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing certificate from the school, along with OSHA-10 certification. This track will focus on teaching basic measurement, machining processes, quality control, and workplace communication skills.

Space is limited as each program will only accept 12 students. Interested participants are encouraged to apply soon as enrollment decisions will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply, visit bit.ly/4b908VW.