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Friends of Albemarle

Our mission: Giving a voice to the 17 acres of open space that provide outdoor activity, recreation and community for countless generations throughout the city.

Join our nonprofit 501c3 group as we advocate for
the largest open green space in north Newton. Questions? Email us at friendsofalbemarle @ gmail.com

Albemarle /al-BE-marle/ – from “alba marla” – Latin for Fertile Earth

The space features 17 acres of assets treasured by the community, including:

Green Space

  • Avery Woods 
  • Wooded trails 
  • Red-tailed hawk habitat
  • Flood plain for Cheesecake Brook, a tributary of the Charles River

Outdoor Recreation

  • Newton’s only outdoor pool, Harry Gath Memorial Pool
  • Field space for Newton’s largest middle school, F.A. Day
  • Newton’s most heavily used athletic field, lighted at night and used for soccer, lacrosse, Ultimate frisbee, cricket, football and more
  • Six new pickleball courts
  • Basketball court
  • Baseball/softball diamonds, including Murphy field, along with batting cages

Community Gathering

  • Recreation field house
  • Large gazebo
  • Benches
  • Picnic tables
  • Three connected playgrounds


Recent Posts from the Friends of Albemarle Blog:

Pickle progress

Newton’s first pickleball courts, bright and sparkling! The surface will soon be ready for play.

Pool days

This summer brought one treasured pool day after another. No matter the weather, the outdoor pools brought joy to so many people, from morning adult swims to afternoon camps to the perfect early evening.

Field Notes: Friends of Albemarle Newsletter Spring 2026

Dear Friends,  Albemarle changes daily during this historic spring season – it will never look this way again, and it will not even look like this tomorrow!  Last week, I gaped at the gorgeous new basketball court… and then at the lights along the path. Then I thought, wait, PATH??  At that moment, two children biked…

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