Located
just south of the crossroads of Routes 495 and 90, the 300-year-old
community of Hopkinton honors its past while investing in a vibrant
future.
Thanks
to an active Historical Society and Historical Commission, many of
the antique homes and buildings around the Town Common appear much as
they did in the 18th and 19th centuries,
when Hopkinton was a thriving shoemaking town. Several
“scenic roads,” lined with venerable shade trees, offer a
pleasant place for a drive. Hopkinton’s plentiful
forested areas include many walking trails that draw both residents
and out-of-towners. Hopkinton also has three large lakes
that offer a cool respite on a hot summer afternoon: Lake Maspenock,
Lake Whitehall and Hopkinton Reservoir, located at Hopkinton State
Park. The history, and the quiet streets and woods, evoke
an old-fashioned community from yesteryear.
But
signs that the future has arrived abound. New housing
developments have sprung up around town, drawing new residents
attracted by Hopkinton’s convenience and top-rated schools. The
largest is Legacy Farms, built on land once part of Weston Nurseries,
but many smaller developments have been carved out around the
community. New retail buildings are awakening Hopkinton’s
previously sleepy downtown, and two larger shopping centers – on
Lumber Street and at South and West Main streets – are offering
more choices and convenience.
The
newly renovated Hopkinton Center for the Arts is perhaps the
community’s most exciting new asset. The restored farmhouse,
renovated dairy barn and new performance center have hosted thousands
of Hopkinton residents and others who flock to the center for
classes, exhibits, and theatrical and dance performances. On
any given day you might find senior citizens taking painting classes,
10-year-olds practicing ballet at the barre, teens and college
students rehearsing for a summer stock performance, or an exhibit of
paintings by local artists. During the summer the
HCA hosts a free “Shakespeare Under the Stars” performance
outdoors. Along with helping locals explore their
creativity, HCA hopes to attract more nationally known performers to
Hopkinton.
The
new Hopkinton Public Library also promises to be a crown jewel. Set
to open in late 2016, the library will include more space for books,
technology and public gatherings. Like the HCA, the
library renovation incorporates its original building, a church that
dates back to the 19thcentury, but includes amenities to
bring it into the modern age.
One
of Hopkinton’s many beloved traditions is serving as the start of
the fabled Boston Marathon. Each year, on the third Monday in April,
as many as 100,000 runners and spectators descend on the town common
to enjoy the sport and the pageantry. Locals get the
chance to mingle with athletes, journalists and celebrities who come
to town for the day. While the town common is quiet for
most of the year, it comes alive for the marathon and for other
traditions -- including Polyarts, a juried art show in September, and
a tree lighting and holiday festival in early December. On
Sundays from late spring through early October, the common also hosts
a farmer’s market, where locavores can shop for corn, green beans,
tomatoes, baked goods and other items grown or made just a few miles
away.
Hopkinton’s
traditions, and its thoughtful balancing of the past and the future,
help make it a very desirable place to live. So does its
location near major highways, making it easy to drive to Boston or
Providence for work or a night out. While the community has no large
retail chains, it’s close enough to many Metrowest communities that
do.
For
families with children, the community’s award-winning schools and
its safe neighborhoods are huge draws. In 2016
Hopkinton High School was ranked #5 among Massachusetts High Schools
by US News and World Report, and #163 in the national rankings.
The schools enjoy a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, and strong
programs for both advanced students and those who need help. Police
officers are a friendly presence around Hopkinton, and know many
residents by name.
While
it’s a great place to raise a family, Hopkinton also takes care of
its empty nesters and its seniors. The HCA is already becoming a
gathering spot for older adults who no longer have the schools as a
center of social life, and new housing developments are offering
smaller units for those who want to downsize. The spacious and modern
Hopkinton Senior Center includes a lounge, library, greenhouse,
thrift shop and spaces for games, crafts, computers and
mingling. The center also offers movies every Monday and
low-priced breakfasts and lunches each weekday. Senior
housing, located close to the center, offers options for elderly
residents who want to move to smaller quarters. A bus picks up
seniors who live in other parts of town and want to enjoy the center.
In
short, Hopkinton offers rural charm, history, convenience, a growing
number of shopping and cultural outlets, and opportunities for
residents of all ages.
Additional
note -
An
organization called Safewise, who works to increase home and
community safety released the "Top 20 Safest Cities in
Massachusetts for 2016" list and Hopkinton is ranked towards the
top of the list. Hopkinton is ranked #4.