THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, DECEmbEr 20, 2024 Page 9 Best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season. A s 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 benefi ts residents of all ages,” Town Manager Crabtree said in a statement this week. AN AERIAL VIEW OF ANNA PARKER: Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree said Saugus’ recently improved playground will be an asset for years to come. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) “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 A Letter to the Community ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 We’re making a call for performers, food vendors and volunteers for the 2025 Saugus Cultural Festival Dear Saugus residents: We are excited to announce the upcoming Saugus Cultural Festival that will be taking place on Sunday, February 23rd at Saugus Middle High School! This inclusive and family-friendly event will celebrate Saugus’ cultural diversity through the showcase of food, performances, and other activities. The Cultural Council is looking for: · Performers: Musicians, dancers, poets, actors, and artists of all kinds are invited to showcase their talents on our stage. • Food Vendors: Share your culinary creations with festival-goers. Local food trucks, caterers, and restaurant owners are encouraged to apply. • Volunteers: Help us make the event a success by joining our team. Volunteers will assist with setup, guest services, event coordination, and more. This is a great opportunity to share new experiences with the community. To apply or to learn more information, please contact us at: • Email: saugusculturalcouncil@gmail.com • Phone: 339-440-1017 Don’t miss out on being part of this exciting celebration in our Town! We can’t wait to see you there! Deadline for applications: January 19, 2025. Please reach out if you have any questions. Tori Darnell, Co-chair of the Saugus Cultural Council of AA+/Stable. This strong rating helps Saugus achieve better borrowing rates which eases the tax burden on residents. The better our bond rating, the more funding that can be used for important projects that benefi t our community, as opposed to going toward interest obligations. · We need to continue our work getting back [to our Town] liquor licenses that are not being used. That way, other restaurants will have the opportunity to use these licenses which will bring more meals tax revenue into Saugus. It would also be an 100 Salem Turnpike, Saugus, MA 01906 WINWASTESAUGUS.COM An early Christmas present Extensive improvements to Anna Parker Playground help to spread good cheer for Saugonians of all ages 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 fi rst come, fi rst served basis. But next year during the warmer months, town offi cials say, guidelines will be developed to guarantee that town residents will be the top priority. incentive for new restaurants to open. · The Town will continue making eff orts to revitalize Cliftondale Square. · There has been much speculation on the schools that have gone offl ine. More discussions are needed where no decisions have been made. The more we work together, the more we can get done for the residents of our community. I hope everyone comes out this Tuesday to enjoy the parade on Christmas Eve! Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy HaASKS | SEE PAGE 19
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