Nestled in the natural landscape off Route 6A in Brewster, the Brewster Dog Park is a testament to community spirit and canine companionship. This thoughtful new space for four-legged friends opened in May, 2022, and is the culmination of years of passionate planning and determination. Before the park opened, there was virtually no place for dogs to stretch their legs during the summer months. The town’s de-facto canine playground, Drummer Boy Park, was off-limits after a 2013 Board of Health prohibition of dogs off-leash, and most beaches restrict canine access between May 15th and September 15th.

Disappointed with the lack of options, the Town of Brewster formed a Dog Park Development Committee. Carmen Scherzo, a retired veterinarian, serves as president of the Friends of Brewster Dog Park (FBDP) board, which he founded with board director Rick Alto. The efforts to champion the park from concept to the fully realized dream it is today where largely spearheaded by FBPD. Scherzo says the first challenge of course was to raise funds for a variety of endeavors that included initial design, construction and future operations. The first generous donation came from the Stanton Foundation, created by Frank Stanton, a longtime CBS executive over 30 years ago with a three-part mission to protect First Amendment rights, foster international security policy as it relates to nuclear threats, and fortunately for Brewster Dog Park lovers, advancing canine welfare. The foundation offered the committee a $250,000 grant for park design.

Northampton-based landscape design firm, Berkshire Design Group conceived of the park we see today, which thoughtfully created separate spaces for large dogs and small dogs to each have a safe and invigorating place to play. Funding for the construction of the 1.2 acre site was provided by the Brewster Community Preservation Fund. Of course, funding somehow always seems to be a precious resource of which there is never enough, so volunteer efforts become critical to the ultimate success of most community-based projects. Community involvement remains a cornerstone of the park’s success. The FBDP oversees park maintenance and funds amenities such as benches, water fountains, fencing, sheds, plantings, and kiosks. Volunteers patrol the grounds twice daily, ensuring cleanliness and serving as park ambassadors. “We try to make the park a clean, happy place, and it’s been very popular. There’s a real social aspect to the park, where not only the dogs are going to exercise, but their owners are enjoying the park,” Scherzo says.

Local builder, Aleks Mazzeo (pronouns: they, them, their), who enjoys the park regularly with their own dogs, donated the necessary labor of their construction crews to construct two gazebos to provide critical shade for both the dogs and their owners. “It was the first hot stretch of the season,” Mazzeo says of the few days in May when the Mazzeo crew set about creating footing and raising the two structures from kits the board had purchased. “But every single member of my crew was delighted to be contributing to something that makes so many people—and dogs happy.” Mazzeo is garnering a reputation locally with their construction efforts for helping those in need and worthy projects where their expertise and commitment can make a difference. 

The park’s separate areas for small and large dogs: a half-acre for smaller breeds and a spacious one-and-a-half-acre section for those over 30 pounds, has proven to be inclusively successful in welcoming all types of canines. Off-leash areas include five different surfaces, including a sand pit “that the dogs just love,” Scherzo says. Another popular attraction includes the fire hydrant fountain that incites plenty of belly laughs in response to the dogs’ various interactions with the creative water feature. Looking ahead, the park’s board plans to incorporate a training area and expand parking facilities.

The FBDP strives to be an integral part of the lives of local dog lovers and produces a monthly newsletter, featuring informative articles on canine health and wellness, member surveys, and spotlights a local “Mutt of the Month.” Scherzo says, “There were a lot of people involved to bring this park to fruition, but our work isn’t done. We now need to become a committed part of people’s daily lives to ensure this special place continues to thrive and provide an important service to dogs and their owners.”

To learn more about the Brewster Dog Park, take a canine buddy and check it out for yourself. To see how you can support this invaluable effort, visit brewsterdogpark.com.

Brooklyn Moore was a delightful addition to the 2023 Cape Cod Life Internship team. She continues to write for us as a frequent freelancer, and her love of dogs made this assignment a natural choice. She is a rising senior at Northwestern University studying journalism.