Misguided engineering in the last century led to dredged material from the Town River to fill in106 acres of marshland at Quincy’s Broad Meadows. In the past three years, the US Army Corps has been restoring the marsh, and the nondescript vegetation and dry mounds of dirt have been replaced by mud flats and saltwater inlets brimming with tiny ecosystems. For many, the $6 million marsh restoration project is already a success. Yet as the project nears completion, there is still debate on how exactly to turn it into a community asset.

An aerial view of the Broad Meadow Marsh.

The US Army Corps of Engineers three-year project has been restoring the salt marsh and removing a common reed plant—phragmites—that turned a waterfront area into a grass field. Here, the marsh in July 2010. The red brick building in the background is Broad Meadows Elementary School.

Utility poles in July 2010.

Utility poles in March 2013 .

The Broad Meadows Restoration project in Quincy will restore tidal marsh and give more access to waterfront for residents.

The view looking back near The Broad Meadows Middle School.

"Before we determine the site is ready to be open to the public, we'll have a neighborhood meeting to talk about access points," said Ward One City Councilor Margaret Laforest. "Before it comes online, we will be getting a lot of public input ... a big discussion [is] to be had."