A Cochituate Rail Trail Memorial Will Honor Framingham Educators

NATICK, MA — The family of two longtime educators in Framingham will be honored with a bench along a new stretch of the Cochituate Rail Trail in Natick.

The family of Velma and Gail Cosgrove have donated $5,000 to erect a memorial bench along the trail.

Velma Cosgrove spent the last 17 years of her career teaching at Harmony Grove Elementary (previously known as Woodrow Wilson Elementary). Gail Cosgrove was an executive vice president at Framingham State. Velma Cosgrove died in 2010 at 96, and Gail died in 1990.

The Friends of Natick Trails group is offering a variety of sponsorship opportunities along the new stretch of trail, including two benches. The group is also accepting sponsorships of bricks, scenic overlooks and historical markers.

The first section of the Cochituate Rail Trail opened between Saxonville in Framingham and Route 30 in 2015. The new Natick section between Route 30 and near the MBTA station officially opened in September, was open to users as early as July.

The Natick Select Board is set to accept the donation for the Cosgrove bench at the Dec. 15 meeting.