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Paved Trails

Harbor Park and Harbor Walk

Joseph Driebeck Way, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

Marshfield DPW: (781) 834-5575

https://www.marshfield-ma.gov/cemeteries-trees-greens

Owned By: Town of Marshfield

Marshfield’s Harbor Park is a small, grassy town park, located directly on Green Harbor itself. The Harbor Walk is a wide, 1-mile long, sidewalk-type walkway. It connects Harbor Park to the Marshfield Town Pier, the Brant Rock Esplanade, Peter Igo Park, and Wharf Creek Conservation Area. Part of the Harbor Walk extends along Route 139, crossing the Green Harbor River, and continuing to Careswell Street. Both the park and the walking trail are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly.

FISHING ADVISORY: It’s important to know that some of our fisheries are contaminated with mercury, PFAS and/or other concerning substances. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health maintains an online database with up-to-date advisories regarding fish consumption, sorted by location. We recommend you consult this valuable resource when planning a fishing excursion.

Features

The Marshfield Kiwanis Club maintains the town-owned Harbor Park.

This land is within the region of the Wampanoag tribe. To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mashpee Wampanoag and the Herring Pond Wampanoag share information on their websites.

The original mouth of the Green Harbor River, which was located on the Marshfield/Duxbury line, more than a half mile south of the present mouth, was closed by a storm in 1806. The present mouth opened in 1810, probably via the combined effects of nature and manpower.

The 1810 opening of the river mouth dramatically increased the incoming tidal flow to the Green Harbor River. This was a boon to local fishermen, as it improved the harbor’s navigability. However the owners of farms bordering the river saw things differently. The increase in both the volume and the frequency of saltwater flooding to their lands was a big problem, as crops don’t like salt water.

So in 1871, a group of farmers petitioned the court to construct a dike, or tide gate, that would block the flow of saltwater upstream, and create more arable land. The dike was constructed in 1872, with the condition that “Should shoaling take place above the level of mean low water in the channel in consequence of dike construction, it was to be removed by the Marsh proprietors.” Shoaling did occur, and thus began the “Brant Rock Dike Feud.” Read all about it on our blog.

Trail Description

A wide, ADA-accessible concrete walkway extend across, and around the perimeter, of Harbor Park. The Harbor Walk, which is basically a sidewalk, extends between the roadway and the edge of the marsh from the Marshfield Town Pier, past Harbor Park and a parking lot for Brant Rock Beach, and onward to Peter Igo Park, up Route 139, and across the Brant Rock Dike to the Careswell Street entrance to Wharf Creek Conservation Area. Next to the Water Treatment Plant, there is a spur trail to the Brant Rock Esplanade. The total length is about 1 mile.

Habitats and Wildlife

Harbor Park is situated right at the edge of Green Harbor itself. The Harbor Walk extends along the edge of the salt marsh from one side the harbor to the other. This is a prime location for spotting shorebirds. Snowy egrets can often be observed in the marsh.

The Green Harbor River finds its source in springs and ponds in Duxbury. It twists and turns through Marshfield via a large cranberry bog complex, the Green Harbor Golf Club, the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, property owned by the Marshfield Municipal Airport, and Peter Igo Park. Just downstream of the Dyke Road bridge (and dike) it flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Green Harbor.

  • A photograph of a parking area.
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  • A photograph of a paved trail leading into a grassy park.
Joseph Driebeck Way, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

Historic Site: No

Park: Yes

Beach: No

Boat Launch: No

Lifeguards: No

Size: 2.3 acres

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Parking: Small parking lot across the street from Harbor Park on Joseph Driebeck Way (Town Pier Road).

Cost: Free

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Facilities:

At Harbor Park: benches, covered picnic area, trash receptacles.

Along the Harbor Walk: benches on the Brant Rock Dike (at Green Harbor River)

Dogs: Dogs must remain on leash. Please clean up after your pet!

Boat Ramp: No

ADA Access: Yes

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Green Harbor River

Other Things to Do at This Site

Fishing
Nature Photography
Picnic Tables
Town Parks & Monuments