Rotary Park’s Growth Reflects Marshfield’s Community Spirit

Rotary Park continues to grow, and local leaders say much of what people enjoy today can be traced back to decades of community involvement.

Marshfield Rotary Club member Stan Whitehurst said the park was little more than an open field when the city acquired the property in the late 1970s.  He says the playground equipment was installed first (1983/4), and the pavilion was built a short time later.  The original cost of the equipment was $15,000.

“It was basically bare ground,” Whitehurst said.

The Rotary Club stepped in during the early 1980s, helping build the park pavilion, install the first playground equipment, and maintain many of the early improvements. Over the years, walking trails, a bridge, trees, and shaded areas were added, helping transform the park into one of Marshfield’s most-used public spaces.

Today, another round of improvements is underway.

East Ward Alderman John Quinn said work continues on the long-awaited pickleball courts. While the project is not finished yet, progress is being made. The parking lot has also been resurfaced and restriped.

New dugouts at the softball fields are another recent addition. Whitehurst said local government helped cover material costs while students in Marshfield High School’s building trades program provided much of the labor.

Rotarian Duane Lavery said the Rotary Club helped lead the effort after community members noticed the fields needed updated dugouts.

The park improvements come as city and county officials are also focusing on public health. Quinn said local agencies are working on educational programs and prevention kits to help workers protect themselves from Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne condition that can cause allergic reactions to red meat.

For Whitehurst, the continued improvements reflect what Rotary Park has always been about.

Whitehurst adds that the walking trail/bridge (constructed early 2000s) was funded through a grant.  Rotary contributed and helped spearhead the effort.

Also, Neva Schroder is credited for the tree-planting efforts.  A lot of the effort was done by volunteers - including one event in April 2005 that saw 172 volunteers coming together in one day to plant trees at parks throughout the City.

What started as an empty field more than 40 years ago has become a gathering place for families, athletes, walkers, and now pickleball players. And thanks to a mix of volunteers, local organizations, students, and city leaders, the park continues to evolve with each new project.