The Friends of the Marshfield Dog Park say work is nearly complete on the new park off Rockwood Road and Proprietors Drive.
The group is putting the finishing touches as they approach a summer opening date.
Erin Fitzpatrick, Vice-President of the non-profit organization, says it’s a project that has been five years in the making.
“We are hoping to open soon, we don’t have a date yet,” said Fitzpatrick. “The fence is scheduled to be installed this June. McDonough Paving just did our entry way. We are about 75 percent completed on our construction progress, and we are so excited.”
Local businesses and organizations have supported the effort to make the park a reality. It’s been through years of stops, starts, and delays due to the coronavirus pandemic, but a tangible finish line is now within reach.
The Marshfield Dog Park on May 23, 2023. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Whether it’s pup parades, pool parties, or pictures with Santa, their fundraising events have been quite the draw.
“It’s a really nice group of people. It’s nice to see people come year after year, and to see the families grow, and to see people you went to school with way back when,” said Fitzpatrick. “It’s a really nice opportunity for the town to come together.”
Wayne Lopes of Lopes Grading, and Biagini Excavation donated three days of labor for earthwork at the site, located between recreational fields and the Marshfield Boys & Girls Club.
McDougall Brothers Enterprises, LLC, donated heavy machinery to deliver 18 loads of wood chips, donated by Michael Verrochi.
The Stanton Foundation awarded a grant of $250,000 towards construction, and the 2022 Marshfield Town Meeting approved an article to use $175,000 in Community Preservation Funds for the project.
The Marshfield Town Meeting in April 2022. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
The park is on town-owned land, the former site of parking for the Plymouth & Brockton Bus Service.
Ahead of a grand opening of the park this summer, a weekly “sip and shop” campaign will take place at Coastal Treasures, located at 2000 Ocean Street in Marshfield.
“You can save 10 percent on your purchase, you can also bring your dog to her store,” said Fitzpatrick. “You can check out our mesh fence sign campaign at Coastal Treasures. We’re going to have a table set up every Wednesday at Coastal Treasures, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. You can check out our fence sign campaign, our brick campaign, and learn how to get involved with our dog park project if you’d like to.”
Signs can be purchased for $240, or for $360, businesses and groups can have signs at the large and small dog areas. Non-profit organizations can purchase signs for $120.
Proceeds raised will go towards the maintenance of the park.
“It’s been a long five years. It’s been a fun five years, but we’re excited. This has been a long time coming,” said Fitzpatrick. “We’re so grateful to everybody that has helped make this possible.”
More information and future events can be found at MarshfieldDogPark.com and on the Friends of the Marshfield Dog Park Facebook page.
On June 1, 2021 the Friends of the Marshfield Dog Park met after a year apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. This was the old site proposed for Commerce Way. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
