Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/588468
10 When people think of Marshfield, the image is of a seaside community with miles of beautiful beaches to enjoy during the summer; the sometimes hard winters; its close-knit community; and, of course, the legendary Marshfield Fair. On the other side of Route 3A, an entirely different, equally beautiful Marshfield beckons. Instead of a seaside that rivals any on Cape Cod, the country roads winding up and down the Marshfield Hills are more reminiscent of Vermont. Along these tree-lined streets you'll still see horse farms with fieldstone walls built centuries ago, countless old colonial homes, and acres of conservation land. Marshfield's history as a Pilgrim settlement and a 19th century shipbuilding center is memorialized throughout this area. Spring Street is a particularly picturesque drive that takes you from the North River at Route 3A up to the hills at Highland St. in North Marshfield. The Marshfield Conservation Commission and the Mass. Audubon Society have preserved open space on both sides of Spring St. On the site of a former horse farm off Spring St., abutting the Audubon Society land, JP Gallagher Construction of Norwell and A.W. Perry of Hingham have teamed up to create Horseshoe Farm, a quality neighborhood of custom homes. This 72-acre site, set behind the original farmhouse and barn, is being developed under clustered lot zoning regulations. This means that the planned 24 homes will be built on lots of approximately ½ acre each, leaving most of the land undeveloped for recreational use. In a nod to the land's previous equine occupants, the paved streets are shaped like a horseshoe. Although construction on the first homes will begin in the next few months, already everything about this neighborhood says "get outside and enjoy nature". The half-acre lots mean less maintenance. The five foot wide sidewalks along one side of the street are perfect for family walks. The enclosed street design means peace of mind for parents while the kids are out riding their bikes. The planned walking paths at the back of the neighborhood lead to the Audubon Society property, connected by over 30 acres of land donated by A.W. Perry to the Marshfield Conservation Commission. Across Spring St., Cove Creek, a tributary of the North River, will take you by kayak all the way to the famous "Spit" in Scituate by way of the North River, or you could just meander south through the river toward Hanover. Exploring the North and South Rivers with the easy access from your home at Horseshoe Farm will provide a lifetime of family memories. The homes are expected to attract a mix of families and empty- HORSESHOE FARM: The Marshfield Hills are calling you home! by Maryellen Dever, photography by Susan Hagstrom