Marion’s popular Washburn Park hearkens back to the historic town common, a place where community members gather for sports games, equestrian events, walking dogs, and picnics with friends. With its mix of wooded trails, horse facilities, and family-friendly spaces like playgrounds and baseball fields, Washburn Park is a destination where everybody can enjoy the outdoors.

In the 1950s, the town of Marion created Washburn Park to provide a place for youth and families to gather for sports and recreation. Today, the park, owned partly by the town, and partly by the private Charles R. Washburn Memorial Trust, still holds on to its community-friendly character. It’s a fitting tribute to the late Charles R. Washburn, a Marion resident who was an active Boy Scout and youth leader.

Washburn Park bustles with activity, from summer ball games to equestrian events like the annual Marion Horse Show. The park is also a popular place for dog walking.

In 2003, the Coalition and the Sippican Lands Trust collaborated to add 109 acres of protected land to Washburn Park. Venture beyond the well-manicured fields to find gentle trails leading through the pine forest past ponds, wetlands, and cranberry bogs.

If you’ve never ventured into the woods at Washburn Park, then you’re in for a surprise! Ponds and wetlands are tucked into the forest, making for beautiful scenery and a magnet for birds. Ducks dabble around the pond throughout the year, and Canada geese crash-land on the pond’s surface during their migrations north in spring and south in fall.

Washburn Park is home to a network of flat, easy trails that vary in length and scenery. You can do a short loop through the woods or take a longer jaunt and enjoy the view.

The main access point for all the trails is a wide woods road that’s located just before the parking area on Washburn Park Road. There are also a few other trailheads near the parking area on the north side of the park.

From the main trail, keep straight to discover wetlands and cranberry bogs on an out-and-back route of just over a mile. Or turn right to explore smaller loops. The first, a short quarter-mile circle through the forest, is a great trail to walk with small children. The second loop, which runs for a mile, follows the shoreline of a large pond and is an excellent spot to jog or walk with dogs.