Madison's Surf Club New Park Is Completed, Dog Park Opens May 20

MADISON, CT – Through federal and state funding, Madison has completed several city projects to benefit its residents.

On Tuesday, April 2, U.S. House Representative Joe Courtney (CT-02) toured various locations in Madison to see how federal funding he secured benefits families in the community.

The first stop was at Salt Meadow Dog Park, where a new enclosure was built on about half an acre of undeveloped land along the Boston Post Road.

“We are always looking for new ways to use some of our park space, and this became a great spot,” Peggy Lyons, First Selectwoman of Madison, said. “The total project was close to $40,000.”

Lyons said the town used about $20,000 ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to complete the dog park project.

“May 20 is the ribbon cutting,” she said.

Austin Hall, director of beach and recreation and senior services, said the maintenance to the park is to mow the lawns.

“It just adds about 10 minutes of mowing to my ground staff,” he said. “Which is nice because it’s easier to maintain the woodchips like other dog parks have.”

Bunny Kyle, a resident of Madison who was walking her Greyhound, said she is excited about the grand opening of the dog park.

“It’s something that’s needed here. They did a beautiful job here, and for my Greyhound, the fence it’s tall enough,” she said.

The second stop was at Madison Hose Company, where Courtney toured the new emergency operations center and apparatus bay.

The last stop was at the newly built playground at the Surf Club.

“So this weekend will be the first test,” Courtney asked, to which Hall responded with a yes.

Hall said the new playground has several interactive equipment children can use when they play and is accessible to everybody.