An early Christmas present

Extensive improvements to Anna Parker Playground help to spread good cheer for Saugonians of all ages

As the year winds down, Anna Parker Playground has suddenly become the main attraction in the town’s recreation centers as it draws exercise-conscious people of all ages. The pickleball courts and street hockey rink have been very popular recreational spots in town since opening several weeks ago – with many residents checking out the new additions to the upgraded Anna Parker Playground.

Town Manager Crabtree noted that the town consulted Saugus youths to get input on what to include in the street hockey rink design – and also reached out to the pickleball community for suggestions on the pickleball courts and design. “This project is an investment that benefits residents of all ages,” Town Manager Crabtree said in a statement this week.

“It’s great that our community will be able to utilize and enjoy these fantastic pickleball courts and street hockey rink for decades to come. I want to thank the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Town Meeting for continually supporting vital and meaningful upgrades to the town’s parks and playgrounds and quality of life improvements,” Crabtree said.

Town Manager Crabtree and the Board of Selectmen recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the upgrades to Anna Parker Playground. A good-sized crowd showed up at the ceremony to see and try out the enhanced recreational facilities, which include:

• A street hockey rink that measures 120 feet by 60 feet with a dasher board system, player benches, and bleachers
• Six regulation-sized pickleball courts that feature separator fences to limit ball interference between courts
• LED lighting to illuminate the pickleball courts and street hockey rink that is designed to mitigate impact to the surrounding community
• Addition of a large picnic area with tables and benches
• Planting of new shade trees
• Updated drainage
• Security cameras

People who have been using the facilities recently when they open on weekends are granted access on a first come, first served basis. But next year during the warmer months, town officials say, guidelines will be developed to guarantee that town residents will be the top priority.