Those joining to cut the ribbon at Aikens Park include (from left) Hannah Davis, Diane Hayward, Norah Hoskins, Town Manager Elaine Lazarus, Eric Sonnett, Ron Yankee, CPC chair Ken Weismantel and Mike Whalen. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD

Members of the Hopkinton Historical Commission celebrated the end of a 12-year restoration and conservation project at Aikens Park and Trail with a ribbon cutting on Thursday. The park is located off Cedar Street (Route 85), at the border with Southborough.

The ceremony was held on the park’s stone bridge. Attendees included past and present members of the Hopkinton Historical Commission (HHC), Town Manager Elaine Lazarus, Community Preservation Committee (CPC) chair Ken Weismantel, Town of Southborough Select Board member Marguerite Landry and members of the public.

HHC chair Michael Roughan offered some brief remarks before the ribbon was cut. He described the history of the bridge, HHC’s involvement in restoring it and the path to getting the project accomplished.

“I credit Ron [Yankee] for starting this, and the CPC,” said Roughan.

Yankee, former HHC treasurer, first initiated the project in 2012 after requesting approval from the Town of Southborough to remove trees that were threatening the integrity of the bridge’s stonework.

This led the HHC to begin working on a plan to restore and preserve the property, which had been deeded to the town by the Aikens family. Due to the bridge’s historical significance, keeping it intact was a priority.

The bridge spans the Sudbury River and straddles the border between Hopkinton and Southborough. It likely was built sometime in the mid-1800s and is a dry laid stone bridge — thought to be one of only 50 remaining in the eastern United States.

The property the bridge sits on once was the location of the old Cordaville Road, as well as the Cordaville Mills.

Coordinating with engineering experts and the CPC, the commission worked for more than a decade to see the bridge and park restored.

The restoration process included removing vegetation on the bridge, laying down gravel and stone dust, erecting wood and iron railings and installing granite curbs.

In his remarks, Roughan detailed how the commission employed creative methods to complete the project on a tight budget. 

Students at Keefe Regional Technical School fabricated the metal for the railings. The granite used for the project was recycled from the ongoing Main Street construction.

Roughan also commended resident Mike Whalen, who donated hours of consultation and labor to get the project to the finish line.

Before the ribbon was cut, CPC chair Ken Weismantel offered a few thoughts as well.

“CPC would like to thank the taxpayers who graciously donate 2% of their real estate tax to fund projects like this that may not normally make the cut,” Weismantel said.