AMHERST — A presentation of the Human Rights Commission’s Youth Hero Awards and a picnic will highlight Race Amity Day: A Celebration of the Oneness of the Human Family, taking place Sunday at Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road.

The annual event, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., was created by the late Ray Elliott, who served as Amherst’s civil rights commissioner and president of the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the NAACP. Elliott founded Citizens for Racial Amity Now in 2013.

The Town Council recently adopted a proclamation ”recognizing the principle of the oneness of humankind and the rich cultural, ethnic and racial diversity of its inhabitants” and inviting the community “to strengthen bonds of respect, caring, appreciation, admiration, and amity between one another.”

A picnic begins at noon and the awards will be presented a short time later.

In 2015, Amherst became the first town in Massachusetts to formally recognize Race Amity Day. Now observed by the state, it is guided by the National Center for Race Amity, based in Atlanta, and founded by the late Dr. William Smith, a former resident of Amherst and graduate student at the University of Massachusetts.

Pride flag raised

A Pride flag was raised on the flagpole at the North Common in front of Town Hall Monday, recognizing Pride month in Amherst.

The ceremony late Monday afternoon came after the Town Council issued a proclamation recognizing “the important contributions of its LGBTQ+ residents to the town’s history, culture, economy and civic life” and affirming “our support for our LGBTQ+ residents, including our youth, and stand with them to protect their civil rights and ability to live openly without fear.”

The town’s first-ever Pride march will be held June 22 starting at noon from the high school.

Breakfast to support Puffer’s

Friends of Puffer’s Pond is holding its annual breakfast to support efforts to keep the site clean and usable for swimmers at Mill River Recreation Area Saturday from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

There will be all you can eat pancakes and coffee, with tickets $12 for adults and $10 for children. There is an additional $6 charge for sausage.

The pond was closed to swimming most of last summer due to high levels of E. coli bacteria. Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek recently told the Conservation Commission that town officials are charting a path forward with more robust testing around the edges, and once a month samples will be collected upstream on Cushman Brook to get a baseline of water quality.

Planning Assistance Grant Program

Amherst is earning a $23,000 grant to create a connectivity plan at Atkins Corner, with improved trails for people to walk at the base of the Notch.

The money comes from $2.1 million from the Healey-Driscoll Administration going to help communities with 52 projects that will improve their land-use practices. The program is administered through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and promotes efficient use of land, creates more housing options and addresses climate change.

Hadley is getting $22,500 to continue work on smart growth zoning bylaw amendment, Granby is getting $50,000 to update its zoning bylaws and Holyoke is getting $23,900 for an open space and recreation plan.

“This funding will help our communities plan to grow, develop and conserve,” EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper said in a statement. “We are giving local leaders the tools to work with residents and experts, helping them to develop practical plans that improve land use and increase housing options.”

Developments and redevelopments

The future of the vacant South Amherst School, 1001 South East St., will be the subject of a feedback session Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Munson Library, 1046 South East St.

Joy Squared Design of Boston is expected to prepare three concepts for the site, which has been mostly vacant since 2018 when the Summit Academy school relocated to part of the high school.

On June 12 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., also at Munson, will be an information session on accessory dwellings and the new state law allowing these by right, led by Greg Richane, an associate planner and housing coordinator for the town.

Richane will also be at the next Cuppa Joe with Town Manager Paul Bockelman, being held June 13 at 8 a.m., at The Black Sheep Deli, 79 Main St.

Meetings

MONDAY: Local Historic District Commission, 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Public Shade Tree Committee, 5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m.