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.

Parks & Rec nears end of revitalization project for skate park at EMC Park

Crews work on the skate park at EMC Park. PHOTO/HOPKINTON PARKS & RECREATION

After three years, renovations to the skate park at EMC Park are nearing completion.

Parks & Recreation Director Jon Lewitus informed the Parks & Rec Commission during its meeting last week that contractors planned to finish pouring concrete at the site by Dec. 13. Lewitus confirmed in a follow-up email with the Independent that the work had been completed as scheduled.

“They are painting this week, cleaning, et cetera,” he added.

According to Lewitus, the concrete structures need to rest for 14 days before they can be used. Because of this, the Parks & Rec Department is opening the park up for public use on Jan. 1. It will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the skate park in the spring.

The process for renovating the skate park began in 2021. Years of disrepair prompted Parks & Rec to look into redeveloping it. The department received $300,000 in Community Preservation Committee funds to revitalize the park.

Although issues delayed the project’s initial timeline, crews finally began renovations back in July.

At last week’s Parks & Rec Commission meeting, members appeared pleased about the finalizing of the skate park project. Chair Dan Terry made it clear this was a revitalization of the existing park, which already had been dedicated.

“I see no reason why this isn’t a reopening of the Hank Fredette Skate Park,” Terry said.

The park was posthumously dedicated to Hank Fredette, a longtime Hopkinton resident with a long history of service to the town. Fredette worked as a Hopkinton police officer, acted as superintendent of the Water Department and served on the Select Board. According to Terry, Fredette helped conceive of the initial skate park idea.

Latest News

In his film “Being Robin,” Roger Kabler explores a unique connection to Robin Williams as he tries to mount a tribute show to the late comedian. Parts of the film were shot in Hopkinton.

Competitive youth archer Ava Li secured a first-place finish at a national field archery competition this past summer in South Dakota.

Concerns over a parking garage for the proposed multifamily mixed-use development at the site of the former Hopkinton Drug resulted in the Planning Board voting Monday night to continue its hearing on the matter.

This week’s Senior Snippets includes information on holiday hours, exercise classes and a virtual tour of the Nashville Parthenon.

Our latest Business Profile highlights the Donut Stand Cafe, which opened on South Street in April 2024 with a commitment to serving “quality doughnuts made from good ingredients.”

Town meetings tonight include the Hopkinton Historic District Commission (7).

Photo of the Day

Members of the Hopkinton Women’s Club, which has provided scholarships and supported local charities since 1920, recently gathered for their annual holiday party.