By: Bronwen Walsh
BREWSTER – Ten years in the making, Brewster's Dog Park opened ahead of Memorial Day thanks to generous grants from the Stanton Foundation and the Community Preservation Committee, along with the support of many local businesses and individual contributors.
Located behind the Brewster Police Station on Rt. 124, the dog park is open seven days a week, from dawn to dusk. Carved out of the woods, the park includes a one-acre area for large dogs (30 lbs. and up) and a half-acre fenced-in play area for small dogs (under 30 lbs.).
Town Administrator Peter Lombardi, members of the Select Board, and dozens of residents and their pets were on hand to dedicate the new park on a misty morning May 21.
“This has taken a village...a community,” Carmen Scherzo, president of the Friends of Brewster Dog Park and a professional dog trainer in Brewster, said at the park’s dedication. “I can’t tell you the joy it has brought to people visiting the park. To me, it’s a wonderful human experience and a great asset to the town.”
“I’m proud that we built a beautiful municipal dog park at very low cost to taxpayers,” said Select Board member Mary Chaffee. “Almost 40 percent of U.S. households have at least one dog, and those dogs play important roles in people’s lives.”
“The new Brewster Dog Park gets two paws up from us,” Diana Peiren Morgan wrote on Facebook. “Gorgeous grounds, asphalt walkway, fire hydrants that spray water, sand pit, benches, forest area, stairs, slide, friendly people, and the coolest water dispenser that drains so the dogs always get fresh, clean water. Thank you to everyone who made this happen!”
Additional features include separate play areas for large (30 lbs. and up) and small dogs (under 30 lbs.), double gates, and biodegradable Mutt Mitts donated by Agway.
The park is fully accessible and environmentally sensitive. Using wood chips instead of grass minimizes maintenance and ticks, and a water bottle filling station helps reduce single-use plastic.
Scherzo thanked Agway, Nauset Disposal, Ace Hardware, Brewster Veterinary Hospital. The Stanton Foundation awarded Brewster a $25,000 park design grant, and another grant of up to $225,000 for construction.
Help support the dog park by attending Tuesday Flea Markets at Drummer Boy Park, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. on July 5, 12, 19, 26; Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. Please note: Dogs are not allowed at Drummer Boy Park. To join the Friends of Brewster Dog Park, please email: friendsofbrewsterdogpark@gmail.com Complete dog park details, rules and photos are on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BrewsterDogPark Rules are also posted onsite. Free parking for 20 vehicles. Agway and Cape Cod Bag Co. have hats and t-shirts for sale.