WILTON – The new River Walk beside Stoney Brook was informally dedicated on a brisk Friday evening, Sept. 29. Organizers estimated the crowd at “well over 100 people.” Those visitors strolled along the new path, enjoyed food from local restaurants, toe-tapped to The Temple Dance Band, talked with old friends and new neighbors and marveled at how a neglected property had been transformed.

Selectman Kermit Williams, in his welcome speech, talked about connections with the past, how the area they were in (the police station parking area) was once part of a mill.

“The goal of this project is connect with nature, our history and to connect both with our commerce,” he said. “The goal of this project is to reconnect us with some of the reasons why people came here in the first place.”

The River Walk is just phase one, he added.

“Voters approved spending a small amount of money to bring back the lights, plant some shade trees and provide a little green space for everyone to enjoy,” Williams said.

The long-range plan is to extend the park along the Souhegan River to Riverview Mills.

“We’re looking into using the Army Corp of Engineers Reserve and our Eagle Scouts to design a footbridge” between here and the area across Stoney Brook along Forest Street, Williams noted.

The stone retaining wall will be cleared of brush and poison ivy. Viewing places are planned so people can see some of the less accessible parts of the Souhegan River. The river and the brook join beside the Wilton Falls Building.

Williams said the grand idea is to “safely connect all of the parts of the village area with the downtown:” Carnival Hill and the community garden, the trails at the Frog Pond and the middle-high school, “to promote walking, biking and just getting out to enjoy nature.”

Williams listed the many people and organizations who had worked together, and continue to work together, to create the new park:

Nancy Clark and Stan Young of the Heritage Commission and Historical Society, Bart and Skyler Hunter and the Conservation Commission were of note.

Chuck Crawford and Kimball Physics was thanked for donating the piece of mill machinery for the history exhibit, and architect Alison Meltzer for project oversite and the Main Street Association Design Committee for decorations.

Police Chief Brent Hautanen was thanked “for his patience, guidance and cooperation while we dug up his parking lot and had him up on ladders – not part of his job description,” Williams said.

Town officials, the Department of Public Works, Tim Hall at Milford Granite Company who constructed the benches, and James Jasper Electric for the lights were all recognized.

And, Williams added, “the Economic Development team that believes anything’s possible.”

While he was speaking, a great blue heron flew over.

That bird has “sort of become our symbol, a good omen,” Development Committee Chairman Jen Beck said. “It is so awesome.”

Food was provided by Double-D Dogs, Sky Bridge Cafe and Nancy and Deb’s “most excellent cookies.”

There is more to do, Williams said, and if you want to help in any way, or donate a bench, contact the economic development team through the town office.

Several residents looked with wonder at the transformed area.

“This is so nice,” a woman said.

“I didn’t know this was here.”