Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Family Day surveys highlight importance of open space

Tags on a map show areas where individuals have visited Hopkinton’s open space properties. PHOTO/ED HARROW

The Open Space Preservation Commission is weeding through data about open space it collected during Family Day on Saturday.

OSPC chair Ed Harrow explained that as part of the commission’s booth at Family Day, members thought collecting data would be a useful exercise. The commission developed two surveys — one asking about what individuals value about open space and another about which open space properties people visit.

Harrow said the answers on the first survey were surprising.

“The number one thing was connection to nature,” he explained. “What came in 10th was drinking water. That was a real surprise to me.” Harrow explained that much of his education on open spaces has prioritized the value of water, so see it ranked so low was interesting.

Another surprise was community health, which ranked fourth. “I don’t know how to interpret it,” he admitted, joking he only added that option to the survey because he likes the Health Department.

The second survey was a map where visitors to the OSPC booth could attach a book tag to open space properties they’ve visited. The top two areas visited were Hopkinton State Park and Whitehall State Park, respectively. Upton State Forest also was close to the top of the list.

“We don’t know how many times people went to these places,” said Harrow. “We don’t know what they did there, but we know that they went there and they went there at least once.”

The data is limited, but the information gathered could prove useful for managing open space in Hopkinton. Harrow said the OSPC will need to digest the information some more. “I’m sure we’ll sit down and think about it,” he said.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The town is working to train its staff and has opened a personnel matter following an incident at Town Hall on Friday involving “First Amendment auditors.”

During a community forum Tuesday night, Health Director Shaun McAuliffe noted the town is in a “good place” in regard to current PFAS levels.

The Elementary School Building Committee on Tuesday voted to approve consulting engineering firm TIghe & Bond as the Planning Board representative for the Charleswood School project.

This week’s Police Log features one arrest, along with reports of calls impersonating the Hopkinton Police Department, someone threatening to steal wood and a missing child.

Hopkinton High School football coach Mark Sanborn expressed optimism over the team making the playoffs this year with a large senior class.

The Friends of Whitehall’s fall lake and trail cleanup is set for Oct. 18.

Town meetings tonight include the Sandy Beach Subcommittee (5).

Photo of the Day

Logan Jarmas (left) and Lucas CaraDonna await customers as Crust & Co. opened Wednesday for its first day of business at the West Main Street/Lumber Street plaza.

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR