SAUGUS — Although the North Shore saw a dreary start to February, the weather didn’t deter dog walkers from coming out in force to Saugus’s Breakheart Reservation Saturday.
Because the park spans over 700 acres of trees, ponds, marshes, and rivers, some dog owners say Breakheart beats the dog park when it comes to picking a spot to bring their pets.
While they waited for a friend near the entrance of the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center, Melrose residents Anthony McElligott and Nick Tuccinardi said the area’s extensive trail system and scenic views are what makes the park a good place to meet and walk their dogs, Tatum and Mario, on a regular basis.
McElligott said the day’s snow was an added bonus.
“I love walking here when it’s snowing. It looks so nice,” he said.
McElligott and Tuccinardi aren’t the only ones who appreciate the outdoor opportunities Breakheart Reservation presents during the colder winter months, however.
“It’s a gem of an urban park,” said park ranger Daniel Donovan. “You don’t get the diversity of terrain anywhere else (nearby).”
He added that the park saw high numbers of visitors in January, with an average of about 1,000 people per day.
“It’s a good season to see deer right now, so (park visitors) have a good chance of seeing an animal,” Donovan said. “With the snowfall, you can see animal tracks.”
As he walked his dog, Maxine, along the wildlife reserve’s Lodge Trail, Revere resident Jon (who asked that his last name not be used) said he comes to the park nearly every day and sees quite a few animals on his walks. He’s even managed to even capture pictures of a few on his phone.
“I was walking one day and there were deer. Being a hunter, I knew there’d be more, so I took out my camera,” he said.
As a result, Jon was able to capture footage of two deer as they ran across the park trail.
“I see a lot of animals,” he said. “I caught (the deer) as they ran back into the woods.”
