Gath & Murphy & Magnets

Two big Albemarle meetings that happened this week, and below are updates on how they went. Please forward and encourage people to join Friends of Albemarle. 


(And a reminder to buy your Friends of Albemarle Magnets: Just visit the side-door foyer of 29 North St. in Newton (steps from Albemarle!), leave $5 per magnet in the mail slot and take the number of magnets you’ve paid for. Please consider putting one on your car in a show of support for this treasured green space of ours.)

Fields Update 

In an unrecorded meeting of the Parks & Rec Commission on Monday night, Little League sought approval to fundraise for lights at Murphy Field, but after discussing the matter at length, voting was postponed.
Reasons included:

-There has not been a site visit yet; one will be scheduled shortly

-Hearing from more residents is a priority; some have concerns about adding lights to that area while others may not be informed yet

-A master plan for Albemarle is still in development; eventual changes could potentially affect Murphy Field, in which case lights should be in place only after a master plan is established

And an update on the prospect of removing trees to make room for lights: they determined no trees would need to be moved.


Action Item: Email athleticfields@newtonma.gov to be added for city updates and to share your opinion

Email rmclaughlin@newtonma.gov. to reach the Parks & Rec Commission and share your thoughts

For more info: Visit city website on Parks & Open Space: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/parks-recreation-culture/parks-open-space

Gath Pool Update

At Tuesday night’s recorded meeting, the consultant showed three outdoor pool designs, all including a spray deck in place of the current tennis courts.

-The city team is planning on a CPC-funded $5MM outdoor-only renovation project to start next fall and be open for use in Summer 2023

-However, concerns about the need for year-round swim options were shared by many of the ~115 meeting attendees

-Construction and operating costs were presented for a range of options, including a bubbled pool and an indoor pool alongside an outdoor pool

-Current annual operating costs for Gath Pool are roughly $270K; those would increase significantly with an indoor option-Current payroll (salary + benefits) costs are roughly $1MM; would also increase with an indoor option

-Multiple options were shown, but $13MM was the construction cost for an indoor pool on site alongside a new outdoor pool, and some conversation was had about fundraising for indoor construction, but concerns and questions remained about how ongoing operational expenses could be covered.


“We need to do what’s in the best long-term interest here,” said Councilor Gentile. Multiple councilors attended the meeting. 23 out of 24 councilors sent a letter to the mayor on Jan 18 urging consideration of greater year-round swimming options.


Action Item: Email gathpool@newtonma.govto subscribe to city updates and to share your opinion

Email citycouncil@newtonma.gov and rfuller@newton.ma.gov to share your thoughts with the City Council and the Mayor

For more info: Visit city website on the Gath Pool project (and where the recording of the meeting will be posted)https://www.newtonma.gov/government/parks-recreation-culture/aquatics/gath-memorial-pool-renovation-project

It was truly great to hear so many of you sharing thoughts and expressing interests. 

Having an informed, participatory community is the best-case scenario for this park and all who use it. 

I especially loved hearing from one meeting participant that there need to be more opportunities for fun in Newton.

Yes!

Notes on the Dec 2 Gath Pool Meeting

Last night’s pool meeting had a lot of new information, and we want to make sure everyone is aware of the current path of the project. 


While three designs were presented, none featured any options for year-round swimming, and all designs were similar to one another.

From the community reaction last night, it seemed clear that while an outdoor pool is very needed in the summer, there is a strong demand to understand the opportunities of a footprint that can accommodate indoor, year-round swimming as well, whether from a bubble option or additional pool.

(In a recent FoA survey with 106 respondents, nearly 70% said that their top priority for the pool is the ability to add covered/indoor swim time during non-summer hours – while retaining the outdoor pool in the summer. 40% identified the second leading priority as having lanes that can accommodate both recreational and competitive swim at the same time. The third priority is a modernized bathhouse, according to 40% of the respondents.)

A reconfiguration of the field house and tennis courts could potentially allow for these changes without eating into field space.

The city councilors on the call last night urged residents to reach out to the mayor and their respective councilors, asking that the big picture be considered before next steps are taken.

Recording from last night’s meeting (Thursday Dec 2, 2021): https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/Ui6TR2zSaP1bOJmHIG164U1A-R1h9dVGkBQanryN-rrHwIVJJGreiQiCz_ROEs5uoBtaOfge0PI82VhG.tQE7W__LYSVRzyEI?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=Sn7cpMVIS_CBMJo_3QdP8Q.1638559491412.6a8b45a04f3c7af93063e8a6cb9f860b&_x_zm_rhtaid=50

Mayor’s email:rfuller@newtonma.gov
All City Council: citycouncil@newtonma.gov

To contact your individual city councilors:https://www.newtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/67495/637522619580330000

Gath Pool is in Ward Two, Precinct One, which has the following Councilors: 
Susan S. Albright  E-mail: salbright@newtonma.gov 

Tarik J. Lucas  E-mail: tlucas@newtonma.gov 

Emily Norton E-mail: enorton@newtonma.gov

Project email: gathpool@newtonma.gov

Project website: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/parks-recreation-culture/aquatics/gath-memorial-pool-renovation-project

Fall Newsletter 2021

Dear Friends, 

Welcome to the fall newsletter of Friends of Albemarle! 

What a gorgeous season it is. 

Athletes out on the field; friends on a walk through Avery Woods; kids running through the playground; all under the bright blue skies and drifting leaves of Albemarle. And even, if you’re willing to get drenched, a double rainbow (oh yes, read on for pictures).

New Logo for Friends of Albemarle

Big news! We now have a logo. Designed by talented Newton North High School student Echoe Lim as part of the NNHS Graphics program, this image represents the open green space we all treasure. 

Take a look.

Our logo will soon be on a car magnet! Register to buy one today. Makes a great gift. We can’t wait to see them all over Newton…and beyond!

As you know, in our last issue we shared our new mission statement: 

Friends of Albemarle: Giving a voice to the 17 acres of open space that provide outdoor activity, recreation and community for countless generations throughout the city.A logo and a mission? We’re ready for our second year!

Gath Pool Survey

What do YOU think is a top priority for Gath Pool? We’d love to collect any thoughts the Friends of Albemarle might have so that we can ensure they are shared with the city planning team.

Please complete this short survey today:

https://forms.gle/gURLPFtAAf8211em8

It will close on 11/30/21. 

Gath Pool Seating: Funded!

We’re thrilled to share that we reached our goal of $2,225 for new pool seating! Thank you to all who donated. This amount will be matched by the Mayor’s Office and allow us to purchase seating for the pool deck for the upcoming season.

Gath Pool Planning

Two major well-attended city-wide listening sessions were held by the Parks, Rec & Culture department this fall. 

The goal is to break ground and begin demolition in the Fall of 2022, as soon as the next swim season comes to an end. The design team at BH+A is developing different concepts for the pool and heard comments made by residents all over the city.

Core themes:

  • More lanes
  • Pool usage year round in addition to an outdoor pool 
  • Zero entry 
  • Extended pool deck
  • Eating/drinking area
  • Kiddie pool integrated into design
  • More passive play space 
  • Greater accessibility 
  • More independent private gender neutral space. 
  • General reconfiguration

As Building Commissioner Josh Morse said in a recent conversation, 

“I find it’s best not to try to perfect the master plan for the pool right away. Instead, you focus on elements, and then get to the preferred concept. We will get to a conceptual agreement by this winter, and that will bring us to the meat of design. We’ll then develop rendering and planting plans and construction documents. The design will be complete by next summer so we don’t interrupt pool season when we get going on the project.” 

“Ultimately, ” he continued,”we hope to avoid swim season. Right now, some folks are asking for more, and that could include loss of swim season.” 

Field ReconfigurationThe fields at Albemarle are being reconfigured, which allows for a unique opportunity for dialogue about field usage.
Overall, we’re hearing that more turf is needed in Newton because we have such high usage of our fields that regular maintenance can’t support a city of 90,000. 
Lights are also a major issue, especially with later high school start times requiring huge youth programs to share evening field rotations.

Visit the project website here.

You can find links to the videos, chat text, transcripts and copy of the presentation here: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/parks-recreation-culture/parks-open-space

If there are any additional questions, comments or concerns please email athleticfields@newtonma.gov  

The NECP Preschool

A new school is moving to Albemarle. The construction fencing has been put up around the old Horace Mann as selective demolition gets underway. No contractors are allowed to park on Albemarle. 

The basketball court currently within the fencing will be removed and yet another playground will go in that space that can accommodate the school’s higher percentage of students on IEPs. Existing playgrounds will stay. 

The project is on track to be completed by Nov 2022. Once the school is able to move in (which is TBD), staff parking will be allowed on site, along Albemarle northbound – up until the first baseball diamond. After that, side streets will provide the remainder of staff parking.

The Bridge

A new temporary bridge has been installed. We posted pictures and reflections on it here. Funds are allocated in the city’s budget for a new permanent bridge. What will be the best location for the next bridge? We’ve heard that both bridges might be kept in operation. 

Our community needs beautiful, thoughtful walking and biking spaces. We hope that any ongoing bridge work will take aesthetics into consideration and coordinate bridges across Cheesecake Brook – including the one at Nevada St. and Albemarle Rd.

City Communication

Reminder: Newton has launched two interactive project maps. 

  1. Interactive Newton Network Map, https://arcg.is/1ub9y90, where residents can see what’s happening in their neighborhood.  
  2. Roadway Construction Map, https://arcg.is/1vvPr91, which shows recent and current street paving projects. 

Join Us

It’s free and easy to join Friends of Albemarle so please encourage your friends and neighbors to become members today. Please forward this newsletter and let’s get to 1,000! 

*But only sign up if you’re not listed on this page.

View from Albemarle

On Halloween day, there was a sudden downpour at Albemarle, and then a double rainbow – check it out! Did anyone else get caught in this whirlwind trick or treat?

Happy Fall!

Cedar 

Bridge Building

New temporary bridge over Cheesecake Brook near Gath Pool

We were thrilled to see that Newton installed a temporary bridge to replace the one that was destroyed by a floating car in August. It’s so important for pedestrians and cyclists to be able to move easily and safely around Albemarle.

Now we’re hearing that the temporary bridge might stick around for keeps, or perhaps remain once a new location is identified for an additional footbridge which remains in the CIP.

With an accessible bridge in place, it’s time to talk aesthetics. What look and feel do we want for pedestrians and cyclists in the northern part of Newton? The most distinctive, thoughtful aesthetic in this area has been put in place by DCR along the Charles River Greenway, which offers design elements that could be supported along Cheesecake Brook.

Does the temporary bridge offer enough inviting design to stay long-term?

Chain link has been added inside the bridge to maximize safety.

Maybe more to the point, this isn’t the only footbridge over Cheesecake Brook. There are two (and if we build a new bridge in the future, there will be three).

When the temporary bridge went in, the old bridge at Nevada St. and Albemarle St. also got an upgrade. $25,000 was allocated to give it a makeover. That left it with new decking, which is much safer. But the chainlink and crumbling stonework remained.

It now looks like this:

A permanent footbridge over Cheesecake Brook at Nevada St. and Albemarle Rd. Does it invite walking and biking?

When we walk and bike around neighboring towns, we compare and contrast. Which towns are most inviting for walking and biking? What aesthetic defines the northern part of Newton? How about the southern parts of Newton?

The long-term look and feel of our outdoor space should be inviting, engaging, and connected…just like our neighborhood.

Water (and a car) Under the Bridge

No one was hurt, thankfully!

Flash flooding caused a car to be swept into Cheesecake Brook today. No injuries were reported. It went under the footbridge leading to Gath pool, causing massive structural damage and leaving the bridge unusable. https://twitter.com/NewtonFireDept/status/1428397273067708427/photo/1

Requests had been made to replace this bridge within the next 2-3 years. I hope that timeline can be sped up – and that we build the next version a bit higher!

Mission Accomplished!

Attendees at the first-ever Friends of Albemarle annual meeting on June 5, 2021

We had our first-ever annual meeting (hooray!). Members attended from across the city, sitting outside behind the field house in the shade on a hot June day. It was fun! A big thank you to those who came and made this historic event a success. 

Mission Statement: Big news! Based on input at that meeting, we developed our new mission statement: 

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

We can’t wait to see where this mission leads us. Read on for the official minutes of the…

Friends of Albemarle Annual Board Meeting

Saturday, June 5, 2021 4-5 p.m.

─

Attendees

Cedar Pruitt, president

Megan Anapolle, treasurer

Jacqueline Freeman, secretary

Jenna Ceddia

Anne Cedrone

Diane Smith

Paul Levy

Mary Pohlman

Sue Denison

Natalia Espinal

Randy Johnson

Amy Lyons

Agenda

Introduction of Friends of Albemarle

Cedar introduced the newly-formed group and explained that it is a non-profit, accepting donations and hoping to get to 1,000 members. It is free and easy to join and it is still forming and shaping core ideas.

Introduction of members present

Group members introduced themselves and their connection to Albemarle. Many mentioned advocating for the open space during the NewCal planning and advocating for Gath Pool, which needs renovation/redoing.

Update on current events at Albemarle

  1.  Gath
    1. Updated members on current renovation plans and heard from many how important it was to be forward thinking and ask for all the things we need. Agreed we need to be loud about our needs and recruit more support from all over Newton, not just North side. 
  2. Neighborways
    1. Funded by a grant, Neighborways has been hired by city and is meeting with stakeholders (including FOA) to go over usage and priorities for the eastbound lane of Albemarle Road. Asking community to prioritize safety over convenience of parking. Considering changes to parking, adding a drop off loop, bike lanes and speed bumps.
  3. Bike Racks
    1. Transportation department asked us to suggest locations for additional bike racks. 
  4. Parks and Rec. Fields Package
    1. Parks and Rec. submitted a request for funding to the CPC to study six fields in the city, which will include design, lighting, etc. Member also suggested reaching out to Newton Community Pride for picnic tables. 

Missions Statement brainstorming

Group members brainstormed themes and ideas for the FOA mission statement. Executive board to finalize the statement this month. 

March, Merch, Mobility, Members

A few headlines in March:

Our friends at Bike Newton are circulating a petition for stronger support of bike-friendly infrastructure in Newton. The pandemic has brought out a passion for cycling in many people, and there are many reasons to make this environmentally-friendly, healthy, fun activity a daily habit. But for that to happen, it does need to be safer to bike in our city. Let’s work together to prioritize it.

With half of city council having joined Friends of Albemarle, we’ve added a new category: Members who are also Massachusetts State Legislators. Welcome, Senator Creem! We’re so glad to have you. Elected officials have an important role to play in advocating for our parks.

In March, the work continues on investing in keeping Gath pool functional and welcoming for the long term as we support efforts of Newton Parks, Recreation and Culture to fund a pool assessment.

Also in March, the merch continues. Have you gotten your “I Heart Albemarle” T-shirt/water bottle/tote bag/magnet yet? Yes? In that case, have you gotten your shower curtain?

All Eight Wards

I wasn’t exactly surprised when I realized that our first 200 members represented all 8 wards (multiple times over) — but it confirmed what we all know. Albemarle is a treasured city asset. It hasn’t always been acknowledged as such, but it is dear to this neighborhood and to the Newton community overall. We need the space, the sky, the fields, the pool, the stars, the lights. And they need us.

As word has spread, and our numbers creep upwards to 300, I see that the cross-city distribution continues. I’m excited to see our progress toward 1,000 and beyond!