Worcester residents press city for lighting and safety fixes at Beaverbrook Dog Park

Dozens of dog‑park users told the Veterans Memorial Parks & Recreation subcommittee on Dec. 16 that the Beaverbrook Dog Park on Mann Street becomes “pitch black” after dark and poses safety risks for people and animals.

“By the time I get off work, it’s dark,” said Bridal Bickford, a long‑time District 5 resident who described the park as a tight community and urged short‑term fixes and longer‑term investment. Several other residents described broken glass and poor maintenance and said they now rely on small solar motion lights they purchased themselves. Sarah Zlode, who helped install the temporary lights, said they cost residents about $25 for a two‑pack and “they really don’t last very long.”

Assistant Commissioner Antonelli told the committee there is currently no power at the dog‑park site, so installing facility lighting would require running new underground conduit. As an interim measure he said staff are evaluating two options: adding a visor‑shrouded flood or spotlight to an existing streetlight at Pole 3 (which would run on the street light’s dusk‑to‑dawn circuit) or relying on parking‑lot lights to provide ambient illumination without new wiring.

Antonelli cautioned that a Pole‑3 floodlight would illuminate part of the neighboring house and that the street light option would be on all night because it operates with the city’s dusk‑to‑dawn system. He said staff will examine fixtures with visors and spotlight options to limit light spill onto homes.

Several speakers framed the issue as both safety and community amenity. Melissa Dowling, a District 5 resident, said darkness makes it hard to break up dog fights and that motion‑sensor solar lights currently in use turn off within seconds. “It’s just too dark and too unsafe to be there,” she said. Micah Kenner Moskalo and others stressed safety concerns for women and children who use the park after work.

Councilor Hajjai moved to place a hold on the petition and asked Antonelli to reach out to the neighbor adjacent to the dog park before any interim fixtures are installed. Antonelli agreed to work with the councilor and park volunteers and to bring a recommended solution—ideally a single feasible proposal rather than multiple options—back to the committee. The committee voted to hold the item for follow‑up.

Antonelli also described work planned for the park next summer, including surface improvements (subject to conservation commission permitting because the site is in a floodplain), new benches and outdoor water service near the park entrance. He said a full conduit installation for permanent lighting would require capital allocation.

The committee’s next steps are: staff will assess the Pole‑3 and parking‑lot lighting options, seek neighbor input, and return with a recommended feasibility report and estimated costs.