Kevyn Batista of Malden relaxes on top of the hippo at Route 1 Miniature Golf in Saugus. Photo by Paula Muller
By Gayla Cawley
SAUGUS — Diana Fay was cheerful and ready for the next chapter in her life as she bid farewell to Route 1 Miniature Golf & Batting Cages and its iconic orange dinosaur on Sunday.
The park, which officially closed on Sunday, opened in 1958 and includes an 18-hole miniature golf course, batting cages and Dairy Castle ice cream stand. But it’s best known for the orange dinosaur that has towered over Route 1 for generations.
Fay and her husband, Richard, took over the family business from her uncle, Nicholas Melchionna, in 1979.
“There’s a lot of nostalgia today,” Fay said.
Fay said the course’s final weeks saw people stopping by to express sadness over the closing and pointed out the number of visitors making a pilgrimage to the dinosaur. She said the decision to close was not about money, but rather about it being time to move on. Fay said retirement is in her future.
The park and adjacent properties will soon be transformed into Essex Landing, designed by BMA Architectural Group. The $120 million development will include 250 one-bedroom apartments in four buildings, two hotels, retail space and garage parking in seven buildings. The sale on the 2-acre golf parcel is expected to close at the end of the month.
Michael Barsamian, a partner in the project, said earlier this month that he purchased the 20-foot orange dinosaur for an undisclosed price, and plans to install it next to the new hotel, along with a pitch and putt net.
“He’s got a smile on his face,” Fay said of the dinosaur. “He just wanted to stay here.”
Fay said the dinosaur has already survived Hurricane Gloria, which hit in 1985, and broken legs, resulting from suspected vandalism nearly a decade ago. During the storm, sailing rope was used to tie down the statue, keeping it intact while trees toppled over from the winds.
On Good Friday in 2007, Fay said she received a call from her son who was on his way to work, telling her that the dinosaur had toppled over, resulting in the leg fractures. A crane company, at no expense, lifted him up. A company from New Hampshire repaired its legs and an artificial wood sling was made for them. Steel beams were put in the legs, which are almost like a boot on either side.
“We never found out who did that,” she said. “We believe it was some young boys on his back rocking him.”
The other statues will find new homes. Four obstacles, named after her grandchildren, will be placed in her yard, Fay said.
Father and daughter Matt and Caylea Madden were enjoying the last day on the course. The South Boston resident said he had been coming to Route 1 for 20 years and remembers driving by and seeing the dinosaur. Caylea said it was like a childhood landmark for her.
Matthew and Christie Beddia, a married couple from East Boston, brought their three kids for the closing. Matthew, 37, said he’ll remember the ice cream and getting together with the kids, adding that the batting cage is a really fond memory for him.
Kristin Breen, 40, was mini-golfing with her 5-year-old daughter, Madeline. She lives in Quincy, but grew up nearby in Chelsea, and has been going to the park since she was her daughter’s age.
“I just found out the place was closing and I wanted her (Madeline) to have the experience,” she said.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.