Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 23, 2026 Saugus welcomes the opening of new Stackpole Field Playground project T own Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Saugus Board of Selectmen joined children, families other town residents and businesspeople on Monday in celebrating the completion of the new Stackpole Field Playground and facilities improvement project. “This amazing transformation at Stackpole Field gives our families, athletes, and residents a state-of-the-art place to gather, play, and compete for years to come,” Crabtree said in a statement as the community gathered for a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. “I want to sincerely thank the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Town Meeting members for making this important investment in our community possible,” he said. The estimated $1.8 million modernized Stackpole Field Playground and upgraded recPLAQUE | FROM PAGE 3 betts had worked to restore. “He was so excited about teaching,” Cadoret said. “I remember a conversation that I had with him, telling me how enthusiastic and how great the kids are, and so eager to learn and listen.” Cadoret, who grew up in Saugus, said she discovered the plaque and garden were removed when she returned to Saugus from New Hampshire with her mother in 2013. Her reational facilities project features brand-new play structures, outdoor community fitness equipment stations and a paved walking track around the perimeter of the field. Additional amenities include new bleachers for spectators, picnic tables and benches, water fountains, lighting enhancements, upgrades to electrical and communications systems, perimeter fencing, and extensive improvements to drainage and landscaping. The playground, exercise equipment area and bleachers all incorporate a vibrant Sachem red color scheme. The playground boasts several play structures that include slides, ramps, cargo nets and various climbing elements, in addition to swings. Outdoor exercise equipment for community use at Stackpole Field includes the following: parallel bars, assisted row and push-up structure, quintuple steps, A-frame Stackpole Field Playground: Monday’s “grand opening” of this $1.8 million facility marks the latest in a series of projects completed by the town in recent years to improve parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities throughout Saugus. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) cargo net, angled overhead ladder, ledge hanger and rope climb. The playground and exercise equipment area feature shock-absorbing soft-fall surfaces designed to help reduce the risk of injuries from falls. As part of the project, team room facilities were upgraded with new siding and trim, new plumbing fixtures and improved handicapped-accessigus for 22 years and served as pastor of the First Congregational Church in Saugus for 11 of them, died from a sudden heart attack in 1980 at age 56, when he was still working at A yearbook photo of Donald Tibbetts (left) standing with the class officers of the ninth grade class in 1979. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) mother had early-onset Alzheimer’s and wanted to visit the school where Tibbetts taught. Tibbetts, who had lived in SauBelmonte. “We went up to the front door, and there was no plaque,” Cadoret said. “It was gone.” Cadoret then began asking friends and family for help restoring the symbol of her father’s legacy. In 2019, a friend connected her with Saugus Selectman Anthony Cogliano, who ble bathroom access ramps. Town Manager Crabtree thanked the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and Town Meeting members for supporting the Town’s continued investment in recreational facilities, as well as PMA, the Town’s project manager, the Saugus Building Maintenance Department, the DPW and project contractors for their hard work and collaboration. Completion of the Stackpole Field Playground project comes just weeks after the opening of the $1.4 million Golden Hills Playground improvement project and is the latest in the town’s commitment in recent years to improving parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities throughout Saugus. Other projects include major improvements at Veterans Memorial Elementary School Playground, Bristow Park and Anna Parker Playground. went to Belmonte and recalled seeing Tibbetts at the school. Tibbetts, Cogliano said, was “always smiling.” Cogliano kept in touch with Cadoret over Facebook. Progress on restoring the plaque was stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, when shuttered schools and reshuffled priorities pushed Cadoret’s to the bottom of those people she sought out for help. In 2021, Cogliano spoke with the Saugus facilities departPLAQUE | SEE PAGE 6 Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured Everett Aluminum Supplies Celebrating 67 Years in Business Since 1958! ws
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