THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 21, 2025 Page 11 ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ Stocker Playground is “the worst possible choice” to locate a dog park in Saugus (Editor’s Note: Jim Harrington of Winter Street in Saugus wrote the following as an “Open Letter to Saugus Conservation Commission and residents of Saugus,” regarding the proposed dog park at Stocker Playground.) Hello, I’m Jim Harrington, a life-long Saugus resident. I strongly urge the Saugus Conservation Commission to keep in mind their mission statement goals as related to the planned dog park at Stocker Playground. Diverse, native wildlife and large groups of dogs along a river is a bad mix. The local raptors already face the threat of Bird Flu this year. Building a facility, for a concentration of dogs, in an area where so much wildlife depends on the adjacent Saugus River will, without a doubt, have a detrimental impact on: Eagles, Osprey, Merlin, Harriers, Falcons, Herons and countless other birds and mammals. Killdeer lay eggs on the ground here. These “native” animals depend on this area for survival! An Osprey platform is less than 200 yards from the proposed site. 200 YARDS! Osprey raise young here EVERY Spring and they have done so for over 10 years. Bald Eagles catch fish and eels all along Saugus river. They often eat the meals they catch on the Osprey platform during Winter. The ent i re area where the park would sit… floods with several inches of water during extreme high tides. That water then runs back into the river as the tide goes out. That fact alone should prevent this project from moving forward. This location is the worst possible choice. Has the town made any recent upgrades to “this” property to promote use as a playground...by children? The answer is no. What other locations were considered? Now an expensive dog park is planned which may include concrete pavement, parking spaces, lights, fencing, barricades, fountains, security cameras... for the benefi t of dogs. Nothing new here for the town’s children. If this project is built, that will violate the intent of the land transfer which stipulates that the land is to be used as a playground, forever. This construction work and large groups of dogs will most certainly have a negative impact on the diverse wildlife along the Saugus River. There’s no doubt about that. Several abutters to the An Osprey relaxes on a branch not far from Stocker Playground. (Courtesy photo of Jim Harrington) property are strongly opposed to the project. Take a ride to the end of Riverside Court and experience how peaceful it currently is, without 15 or 20 dogs right below their homes. If the project is built raptors may just disappear from the area. A dog park is NOT a playground. There are better places in town for a dog park. Of all the possible locations, this location is the worst possible choice due to the proximity to Saugus River and raptor habitat. Due to the popularity of the plans, especially among so many town officials, the Con9-MONTH CD 4.255% Unlock Tomorrow’s Potential. There’s Every Bank, Then There’s *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate of the date posted and is subject to change without notice. APY assumes the interest remains on deposit until maturity. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. A minimum of $500 is required to open a Certificate of Deposit and earn the advertised APY. Member FDIC | Member DIF APY* This Osprey platform is less than 200 yards from the proposed site of the dog park at Stocker Playground. (Courtesy photo of Jim Harrington) servation Commission members may be feeling pressure to comply. Please do the right thing for fragile wildlife in this area and the Saugus River. Reject this site as a choice. Thank you - Jim Harrington - Winter St. A BIRD’S EYE VIEW: The fenced-in area of the Stocker Playground on the right side of this photo is the proposed site of a dog park near the Saugus River. (Drone Aerial Photo by Jim Harrington)
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