The Friends of Marshall Square Park recently completed another new project in Marshall Square Park. The latest project includes new landscaping and a new low fence for the area along the busy corners of N. Matlack and Marshall Streets (the playground corner). The project was a component of the overall Master plan for the park. Anne F. Walters, Landscape Architect and Founding Board Member of FMSP, prepared the plans for the project, obtained the required approvals from the Borough of West Chester and was responsible for coordinating the bidding and installation of the project. Jeff Beitel, President of the FMSP, attended the meetings with the Borough and supported the project efforts from its inception to completion.
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/