Saugus cuts ribbon on $1.8M Stackpole Field upgrade

The Town of Saugus announced Oct. 21 that it held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 19 to unveil a $1.8 million renovation of Stackpole Field. Town Manager Scott Crabtree joined the Board of Selectmen and other town officials for the event, which drew a large crowd of families.

Children at the ceremony cut the ceremonial ribbon, tried out the new playground equipment and exercise stations, and were treated to complimentary ice cream provided by Crabtree.

The improvement project includes new playground structures with slides, ramps, cargo nets and swings on shock-absorbing surfaces, along with outdoor fitness equipment such as parallel bars, an assisted row and push-up structure, an overhead ladder and a rope climb. The site now has a paved quarter-mile walking track around its perimeter and new handicapped accessible bleachers that replace what the town described as outdated, structurally unsound seating.

Other changes include a Sachem Red color scheme across the playground, exercise area and bleachers, rebuilt original cobblestone ticket booths, repointed and repaired historic stone walls along Appleton and Summer streets, and resided and repainted team rooms. The project also added picnic tables, benches, handicapped accessible water fountains, a water bottle filling station, lighting enhancements, electrical and communications upgrades, perimeter fencing, and drainage and landscaping work.

Crabtree thanked the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and Town Meeting members for approving and supporting the investment. "I want to thank the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Town Meeting members for approving and supporting this major investment," he said in a statement, adding that the project continues the town's commitment to improving parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities.

He also credited the town's Building Maintenance Department and Department of Public Works, along with project manager PMA Consultants, landscape architecture firm IMEG/Warner Larsen and general contractor Belko Landscaping.

Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta also spoke at the ceremony. "It really is quite beautiful and I hope everyone enjoys it," she said of the new facilities, thanking Crabtree and town department staff for their work on the project.

Source: Town of Saugus announcement, October 22, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.