Town of Sandwich Awarded $1.8M Grant for Phase One of Marina Harborwalk Project

SANDWICH, Mass., October 7, 2026 — The Town of Sandwich has been awarded $1,808,514 through the Commonwealth’s Seaport Economic Council Grant Program to support Phase 1 of the Sandwich Marina Harborwalk Master Plan.

The award was announced as part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s FY27 Community One Stop for Growth, which is providing more than $330 million to support local economic development and housing projects in communities across Massachusetts, including $12.1 million in Seaport Economic Council awards.

The significant State investment will advance the first phase of a project designed to improve pedestrian safety, accessibility, public waterfront access, and long-term resilience at the Sandwich Marina.

“This is a tremendous investment in Sandwich and an important step forward for our waterfront,” said Town Manager George “Bud” Dunham. “The Harborwalk project has been a collaborative effort, and this funding allows us to take an important step forward. We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, our legislative delegations, the Select Board, Director of Operations for Community Services Guy Boucher, Harbormaster Nicholas Giordano, and Engineer Cole Bateman at Tighe & Bond for their work and support in advancing this project.”

Improving Safety and Accessibility

Originally conceptualized in 2024, the Sandwich Marina Harborwalk Master Plan envisions improved pedestrian and multimodal connections throughout the marina.

Phase 1, funded by this new grant announcement, will consist of an approximately 400-foot elevated timber boardwalk along Ed Moffitt Drive.

The project will improve pedestrian circulation through an active marina environment, helping separate pedestrian traffic from marina roadways and operations.

Accessibility improvements will include a wider sidewalk, new curb cuts, accessible parking connections and improved transitions between the boardwalk and surrounding walkways.

The Harborwalk is anticipated to function as a shared-use path.

Investing in a Working Waterfront

The Sandwich Marina is a vital working waterfront that supports commercial fishing, charter operations, recreational boating, public safety services, and more than 200 slips, including commercial and transient use.

The Harborwalk project will improve connections between the waterfront, docks, businesses and public amenities while creating a safer and more accessible experience for residents and visitors.

The project expects to yield economic development benefits. The Sandwich Marina is an important economic engine supporting commercial fishing, tourism, dining and recreational boating, and improvements to the waterfront will create a more welcoming and connected environment for visitors and local businesses.

Supporting Long-Term Resilience

The Harborwalk project aligns with broader Town goals related to public access to coastal resources, multimodal connectivity, and resilient waterfront infrastructure.

The project will improve an existing low-lying pedestrian route that is vulnerable to high tides, while incorporating shoreline and landscaping improvements intended to support the long-term resilience of the waterfront.

First Phase of a Larger Vision

Phase 1 is the first step in a larger vision for improving pedestrian and multimodal connections throughout the Sandwich Marina. Future phases could extend the Harborwalk farther through the marina and connect with additional areas, although only the approximately 400-foot Phase 1 is currently being pursued.

The Town has worked with engineering and consulting firm Tighe & Bond on the project, including the current design.

Project at a Glance

• Project: Sandwich Marina Harborwalk – Phase 1
• State Award: $1,808,514
• Funding Program: Seaport Economic Council Grant Program
• Phase 1: Approximately 400-foot elevated timber boardwalk
• Location: Ed Moffitt Drive, Sandwich Marina
• Primary Goals: Improved pedestrian safety, accessibility, public waterfront access, and resilience

About the Town of Sandwich, Massachusetts

Incorporated in 1639, Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod. Located approximately one hour from Boston, the town borders Cape Cod Bay and the Cape Cod Canal and is a vibrant year-round community and popular vacation destination. The population of Sandwich was approximately 20,000 residents as of July 1, 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Additional information about the Town can be found at www.sandwichmass.org.