Marshfield skatepark opened in 2003. It was a private public partnership. The Community Foundation was the fiscal agent for the park, which Harlan Rose was the driving force behind. He is a local citizen who got involved with the project in 1988 to help get a facility for his son.
It was only through his efforts they were able to build this facility. He investigated and visited a large number of other parks and coordinated the private sector fundraising. The City spent $130,000 on the park with private fundraising totaling about $60,000.
Harlan was also successful in getting a number of local contractors to do the work below market price or at no cost. This included such things as the excavation, concrete installation, landscaping, electrical, and engineering. Thanks to his work, this project came in under cost.
It is now used for skateboards, blading and bikes. No admission fee is charged. The park is closed during the winter months when the snow and ice are present, but any other day you can ride by and see many young people enjoying this park.
The skate park is another addition to MACF’s long list of contributions to the community, which include Wildwood Station, Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library, Hackman Field, the Youth Baseball fields, Weber Park, Hamus Park, Hardacre Park, Braem Park Disk Golf, the Skate Park, Boson Tennis Complex, Tiny Tiger Intergenerational Center, the ACE Academy, Griese Park, and many, many more.
A tax exempt, non-profit organization, MACF uses public support to better connect those with a cause in mind to its completion while taking care of administrative tasks, and continues to establish permanent, named funds for public benefit.
View more videos on Marshfield Area Community Foundation in honor of their 25th anniversary at this link.
