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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 19, 2024 Page 7 “A multi-generational project” Town offi cials tout the state-of-the-art features of a plan to put a street hockey rink and pickleball courts at Anna Parker Playground By Mark E. Vogler I f everything proceeds as planned, school kids and senior citizens will share the same favorite playground in Saugus. There will be room for both ends of the age spectrum to get their exercise once improvements are completed at the Anna Parker Playground located behind the Essex Street Fire Station. The coming attractions include a street hockey rink that will draw heavy use from the town’s youth and six pickleball courts that will become a destination for people of all ages. “This makes this sort of a multi-generational project,” Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree said as he outlined the key features of the playground renovation during an informational session Monday night in the second fl oor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall. Improvements that are part of the renewal project will include renovations of the existTHE PLAYGROUND PROJECT: Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree (left) and Warner Larson Landscape Architects President David J. Warner explained the playground proposal on Monday night. (Saugus Advocate Photo by Mark E. Vogler) ing hard courts, including the addition of sports lighting to accommodate evening play. There will be six pickleball courts and a court for street hockey. The courts will be supported by team benches and shaded areas for spectators. The plans also include a substantially improved picnic area with dedicated tables, benches and shade trees. The project is estimated to cost up to $1.6 million and is the latest in a series of townwide recreational upgrades dating back to 2016. Work is scheduled to begin this month with a completion date targeted for early November. With diagrams of the proposed playground renovation projected across a screen set on the back of the stage, Crabtree and David J. Warner, president of Warner Larson Landscape Architects, explained the project and answered questions about it. “I think it is very exciting for our residents to see these continued investments made by the town to improve and upgrade our open space and recreational areas,” said Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeff rey Cicolini. “This refl ects the administration’s continued commitment to investing in quality improvements for our residents to enjoy. Hats off to the town manager and his team along with Town meeting and the fi nance committee for their continued support of these and other town projects,” Cicolini said. Kids offered their expertise to the town about how to build the street hockey rink, PROJECT | SEE PAGE 15 RON’S OIL Call For PRICE MELROSE, MA 02176 NEW CUSTOMER’S WELCOME ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (781) 397-1930 OR (781) 662-8884 100 GALLON MINIMUM

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