I love rail trails, yes I’m a nerd. It’s the perfect combination of history and recreation, two things I love. It’s the idea that the former paths of trains can now be (legally) explored. An added bonus is there is no longer worry about getting hit by a train! Some of my favorite rail trails include in Burlington, Vermont, Plymouth, Massachusetts, Falmouth, Massachusetts and East Hampton, Connecticut. Trains once rumbled through Marshfield, on the South Shore of Massachusetts, although the last whistle blew in 1939. Marshfield does not have a continuous rail trail, but the sections of the Marshfield Rail Trail that are open to exploring are worth a visit.
The South Shore Railroad
There is a positive trend of turning old train beds into rail trails. Marshfield has yet to officially do this, but traces of the old line are tangible in many places. A continuous Marshfield Rail Trail would be hard to create, but pieces of the former railway are now paths. Starting at the Scituate Greenbush station, walk across the street behind the Dunkin Donuts on the Driftway. This is the start of the old line (above this, the railway is used once again as the Greenbush line of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority’s commuter rail). This part of the former track is through tidal flats. The North River separates Scituate and Marshfield and the bridge which would have continued the trail is gone.
Damon’s Point
The next section of the Marshfield Rail Trail is accessible through Damon’s Point Road in Marshfield. Damon’s Point is a gem in itself. It consists of a parking lot and boardwalk with a picturesque view of the tidal flats of the North River as it approaches the sea. There is access to the river here. From the lookout, it is clear to see the trace of the former railroad bridge and the path of the track. The last house on the eastern side of Damon’s Point Road has a unique collection of birdhouses viewable from the street. Also, adjacent to the path is a red fishing shack. Damon’s Point Road is located on the former railbed as the line continued south farther into Marshfield.
The Marshfield Rail Trail Crosses the South River
The Marshfield Rail Trail is visible again at the intersection of Station and Summer streets. Here it heads south, eventually paralleling Ferry Street, crossing Clay Pit Road and South River Street. A bridge traverses the South River south of South River Street. The path ends in Dandelion Park on Ocean Street, next to the CVS in Marshfield Center. Close to the terminus of the path is a canoe and kayak launch site on the South River. Here a wooden bridge, the Keville Footbridge, spans the waterway. The canoe and kayak launch on is on the dock which floats in the river on the eastern side of the bridge. The Marshfield Centre train station was once on Webster Street where the current Dairy Queen and skate park are now. South of here the route becomes convoluted, some parts accessible to the public. I have yet to explore this section in depth.
Marshfield Rail Trail Vital info:
The best places to access the Marshfield Rail Trail is from the CVS parking lot at 1880 Ocean Street. The trail north of the footbridge leads to the Pratt property and trails which the town of Marshfield acquired and is now public land. The hope is to establish a South River Greenway which would connect the parcels of green space accessible to the public including the Pratt Trails, Veterans, South River Park, and the former railroad path.
For more South Shore fun- click here and here
For a detailed look at the rail and bridal trail (including in the southern part of town!), click here
