The design for this busy corner of the park reflected the need for enhanced safety for children who come to the park to play at the new play equipment.  New, low fencing matches what was used around the recently restored fountain, located in the northeast corner of the park.  It includes replicas of the acorns that were part of the original fencing around the fountain.  The new fencing creates a curved, welcoming arrival at the northwest corner of the park where visitors enter along an existing path.

The new plantings are designed to enhance the park “edges” and will offer seasonal color and interest throughout the year.  New shrubs, perennials, ground covers and ferns, many of which are native plants, as well as pollinators, are located on either side of the new fencing.  The new areas to be planted include sloping conditions in sun and in shade, requiring careful plant selection for the various conditions.  The new plantings will help stabilize the existing slopes and will eliminate the need for mowing in those sensitive locations.  Extra care was taken during installation to protect the existing trees and roots during the installation of the project. 

The FMSP supported the cost of this latest improvement to the park and will continue to maintain the new landscaping and the fencing in the future; just as it has for all new additions to the park.

Fencing: Fabricated and Installed by Angelo’s Ironworks.

Landscaping: Provided, Installed and Maintained by Flowers and More, Inc.

Read more about this project from our feature in the Daily Local here: https://www.dailylocal.com/2023/11/20/marshall-square-park-in-west-chester-receives-improvements/

With the recent ban on plastic bags when shopping, getting the bags back in the park will really help keep “things” from getting underfoot.

Thanks, Public Works!!

The new playground includes a new play set designed for younger children and a more versatile swing set that includes accessible swings (a couple of parts on back-order, we are unsure the delivery date).

The mulch is soft and deep, and the newly seeded area (post-grading) covered with straw. Fencing to protect the trees during installation will also be removed shortly.

The new playground is the result of years of honchoing by Chantale Fieldhouse (her kids are now past the target age group for the playground) and shared funding by the borough and the Friends of Marshall Square Park.

Two crews were loosely assembled, one working on the Northwest corner of the park (near the recently started construction site of additional playground equipment!) and one near the Southeast corner and the ‘Swiss Cottage’.

The 3 main projects were to:

• pick up the numerous downed sticks and branches (several of the kids were especially good at this!)
• rake up a few heavy areas of leaves and seedpods, including the brick drainage swales, and
• spread 40 yards of borough-provided wood chip mulch around the base of all the park trees. (Thank you to the borough for providing and delivering the wood chips!)

The Friends of Marshall Square Park have a few wheelbarrows and several mulching and leaf rakes.  A half dozen wheelbarrows were rented and a few volunteers brought their own!

FMSP provided coffee, donuts, and water which arrived at 9:30 at the gazebo – just in time for the first break – plus cookies were generously sent over from the Hickman House!

Thank you all for the efforts to spruce up our great park, and see you soon!  

Roger Lacy and Eric Miller, FSMP co-chairs

The pandemic cancelled our 2020 concerts, but now it’s time to enjoy music together again in our beautiful park. While we won’t have our usual picnic table, there will be food trucks and you are welcome to bring your own food & drink.

Three of our favorite bands are as eager to be back as we are to have them!

Give them a warm, welcoming hand ????

Sin Brothers • July 1, 2021

John Grecia Band • July 22, 2021

Dirk Quinn Band • August 12, 2021

All three events are on Thursdays at 6:30PM.
Rain Dates are July 8, July 29, and August 19

To keep up to date with our concerts, like us at facebook.com/MusicMarshall.

???? OUR WEBMASTER HAS RETIRED after 15 years documenting FMSP’s plans, successes, and showcasing photographers’ beautiful park photos. Anyone want to pick up where she left off? Please email [email protected]

We are very grateful to our Sponsors
whose contributions make these events possible.

MAIN EVENT SPONSOR

FACE PAINTING

BIRL GIRL DESIGNS

FOOD TRUCK SPONSOR

CONCERT CO-SPONSORS

When I ventured out around 10 a.m. to pick the newspaper up off the sidewalk, a car stopped. I looked up, expecting to be asked directions to somewhere. A man gave me a great big smile and said, quite joyfully, “What a beautiful park!” He went on to say he had been out at ChesLen Preserve in Coatesville, and someone told him about the Park!

He remarked about the FRIENDS sign, and I filled him in a little about the tree sculpture, and how calling it FRIENDS is so appropriate for a number of reasons, including the fact that West Chester was started by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and the organization that raises money to improve and maintain the Park is called Friends of Marshall Square Park.

Before he went off, I found out he is from the Malvern area, and he said he has lived there for 30 years and never knew about the Park!

So nice that the word is getting out and all of the time and money invested is giving such enjoyment, and not only to West Chester residents.

~ Linda

[Linda is the FMSP Treasurer]

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