Marshfield Reopens Playgrounds, Unveils New Trail System

Select Board Approves Health Awareness Proclamations Amid Debate

MARSHFIELD, MA - August 26 - Marshfield's playgrounds are set to reopen following closures due to safety concerns, as town officials implement new inspection and maintenance procedures. The closures came after a professional inspection revealed various safety issues across the town's numerous playgrounds.

Shawn Patterson, Marshfield's DPW superintendent, explained the decision to close the playgrounds. "Under no circumstances am I going to put myself, Mr. Maresco or any of you in that position nor do I want to see anybody's children get hurt," Patterson said.

The town is now implementing a more rigorous maintenance and inspection process. Town Administrator Michael Maresco stated, "We're going to have a more aggressive process as we go forward. And we want to set aside money."

Maresco added that the town will create a dedicated budget line item for playground maintenance in the FY26 budget. "We're going to have playgrounds for DPW with money in it that they'll be able to use that money to make the necessary repairs," he said.

In other developments, a new 7-mile trail system is nearing completion in Marshfield. The trail will connect multiple neighborhoods and provide scenic views of cranberry bogs and the Green Harbor River.

Town Planner Greg Guimond presented the trail project to the Select Board. "It links several other trails and you can basically go from the Duxbury Town Line or Careswell Street up to Station Street when we finish that walkway. We'll have the complete seven-mile loop," Guimond explained.

The trail system includes a unique feature of passing through active cranberry bogs. Ned Bangs, Chair of the Recreational Trails Committee, noted, "This is unlike any other trails that we have in town because every other trail has a canopy of trees, some shade there. This is all out in the open."

In other business, the Select Board approved proclamations for Suicide Prevention Month and Overdose Awareness Week, despite disagreement over the necessity of voting on such matters.

Board member Eric Kelley opposed voting on the proclamations, stating, "I think just making a public observance to it should be just fine. Instead of having to vote on it." He elaborated, “to put something out there as a regular statement is fine, but to require us to vote on it in any other proclamation, I think it's just politics and everybody is playing into it.”

Vice-chair Steve Darcy disagreed, adding, "I think these proclamations are a great way to spread awareness and to help people feel heard and recognized and to let them know that their community is there to support them and to help them.”

Chair Lynne Fidler defended the proclamations, saying, "I don't feel this is political. I think this is totally what our responsibilities here as representatives of this town are."

The board voted 2-1 to approve both proclamations, with Kelley voting against.

The meeting also included approval of several temporary liquor licenses for upcoming events, including the Marshfield Lobster Fest and a touch-a-truck fundraiser.