Road Safety Update Nov 2023

Hi friends, 

In our Fall Newsletter, we promised a separate update on road safety. Voila!

Road Safety Update 

1. Flex Posts

2. This Thursday: 4 Proposals About Albemarle/Crafts

3. Back-in Striping in Effect NOW at Albemarle

4. FOA Magnets and You

FLEX POSTS

All flex posts have been removed from the intersection of Albemarle and Crafts. 

Within 24 hours of removal this weekend, debris from a vehicle was scattered in the road, suggesting an accident. 

We know first-hand that those flex posts created so much safety for cyclists and pedestrians. We wrote to Newton City Council about it in August, applauding their installation. We’re worried about increased safety risk with their removal. Be cautious!

FOUR PROPOSALS THIS THURSDAY

Speaking of, this Thursday 11/16 at 7pm, the Newton Traffic Council will convene and discuss multiple proposals for Albemarle road. All four are listed below. Some have been suggested by FOA members. Thank you for using your voice and participating in thinking through solutions for this area.

Agenda and zoom info is below:

https://www.newtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/113698/638351171225084976

A little context for the RRFB proposal, which we enthusiastically support – signalization is still scheduled for that intersection in 2026. But these pedestrian flashers would be more permanent than flex posts and are badly needed in that area. (More info: What is an RRFB?)

TC58-23

ADRIAN AYALA, CITY TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER, requesting to add a RRFB to the intersection of Crafts Street at Albemarle Road

TC58 -22

JASON SOBEL, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS, requesting to permanently close the northbound block of Albemarle Road to vehicular traffic, in both directions, between Crafts Street and North Street, except for bicycles. This portion of Albemarle Road has been closed since September 2020 as part of an on-going Traffic Council trial. (Wards 2 & 3) [11/22/22 @

12:05 PM]

HELD 5-0 on 12/15/22. Trial will continue to be held.

TC17-23

MATTHEW MAZER, 24 Maynard Street, requesting consideration of a trial to close Albemarle Road, southbound at North Street between North Street (Newtonville) and Maynard Street. (Wards 2 & 3) [04/12/23 @ 12:11 PM]

TC26-23

JESSE COREY, 64 Oak Cliff Road, on behalf of neighborhood residents, requesting the following changes for the block of Albemarle Road between North Street and Crafts Street (western leg): Convert to a 2-way traffic circulation pattern; add a “Do Not Enter” restriction at the intersection of Albemarle Road at Crafts Street; add a “right turn only” restriction from Albemarle Road Southbound onto Crafts Street; and add a stop sign at the intersection of Albemarle Road at North Street. (Wards 2 & 3) [05/24/23 @ 4:23 PM]

BACK-IN PARKING

Most of the striping is in and the back-in parking trial has started. Work crews will be out for additional pavement markings in the coming days.

When we started Friends of Albemarle, we realized that, at times, safety for park users would need to be prioritized over convenience, and this project is an example of that commitment. While some people will find it to be an adjustment, it is safer for everyone to have drivers backing into their spaces rather than backing out into the active road where cyclists and pedestrians are, as well as other cars in motion and students crossing. 

What about speed humps and flex posts? This part of the trial will be delayed until the spring due to snow removal needs. 

From the City of Newton:

What’s changing?

• New bike lanes on the side of Albemarle alongside Cheesecake Brook

• New crosswalks on Albemarle and at the intersections with Watertown

Street and Crafts Street

• We are changing from head-in to back-in angle parking on the

northbound side of Albemarle between Watertown and Crafts.

• Bicycles will be allowed in both directions on the northbound side of

Albemarle south of Watertown Street

• In 2024, the city will install speed cushions and flex posts on Albemarle

Why are we doing this?

• Safety! This is a heavily used area with many conflict points and

hundreds of school age children using Albemarle. We need to slow cars down, and

establish clear paths for cycling and walking.

• Back-in or head-out parking gives drivers a clear view when exiting a parking space.

You can practice at Auburndale Cove, and watch the Mayor’s video linked HERE.

What about the intersection of Crafts and Albemarle?

• Design of this project is underway, and we expect that the intersection will be signalized in a couple of years.

Learn more about this pilot at NewtonMA.gov/Albemarle or contact Josh Ostroff, Director of Transportation Planning, jostroff@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1481.

CAR MAGNETS

Nothing makes us happier than seeing a beautiful FOA car magnet in the wild! Please buy one today and show your Albemarle pride. 

Honors system – Just leave $5 per magnet in the side porch at 29 North St. and take one today!

Field Notes: Fall 2023 Newsletter

Dear Friends, 

A short check-in to wish everyone happy fall days and long walks in the woods, whether they are Avery Woods or otherwise. Albemarle is still in full swing for a range of sports, although athletes, walkers, students and everyone else are occasionally reshuffling to support the construction of the new Gath Pool.

Gath Pool

We were honored to be part of the pool’s groundbreaking ceremony in September, and excited to see so much progress being made every day in the demolition and development (even though it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to a pool we loved so much). Some pictures: https://friendsofalbemarle.wordpress.com/2023/09/28/gath-pool-groundbreaking

Election

It’s also election season, and after ten years of steadfast support from Emily Norton, Albemarle will get a new ward councilor. While we don’t endorse any particular candidate, we asked both candidates for Ward 2 the same question about the future of Albemarle. The responses received are here. Only those who live in Ward 2 can vote for this seat. 

Whomever you choose – please vote! Democracy requires our participation. 

Traffic

Plenty of future work is slated for the Albemarle area, and a seperate update will go out on traffic safety projects once we get more dates and timelines. In the short term, we’re happy to see stop signs installed at the intersection of Eliot and Watertown St., as road safety in the wider area of Albemarle is crucial to the safety of all park users.

Donate to FOA

Finally, please remember that Friends of Albemarle is accepting donations. We are a certified 501c3 nonprofit organization and put all current donations toward our operating expenses. 

Easy new way to donate –  through our new Venmo account: @FriendsofAlbemarle – check it out here.

You can send us a check or donate by credit card – details here on our site!

Donation Levels:

Field of Dreams – $500 and up
Make a Splash – $250
Mighty Oak – $100
Friend – Any Amount

Back to Gath Pool

For now, enjoy this view from Albemarle, which has drama, intrigue, shock, excitement, hope, passion and vision all in one (OK, OK, it’s just the demolition…but it’s pretty amazing what we can all do together!): 

https://friendsofalbemarle.wordpress.com/2023/10/28/quite-a-view

Ward 2 Candidates Weigh In

Question sent to both candidates: As a ward 2 city councilor, what is your vision for the future of Albemarle and its role in our community?

Candidate David Micley replied: 

I am grateful to the Friends of Albemarle for your fierce advocacy for Albemarle Park, a vital community resource for Ward 2 and the entire city. According to city staff I have spoken with, Albemarle is the most-used park in our entire city. I am excited about recent upgrades such as the playground that former Horace-Mann parents raised money for and installed, as well as the new Gath Pool that is expected to open in spring 2024. The park is in need of attention in several ways however, and I would be honored if the voters of Ward 2 give me the chance to be their voice on the City Council advocating for these improvements. One example is flooding. Cheesecake Brook overtops its banks in large rainstorms, and thanks to climate change, those flooding incidents are coming with more frequency. I know plans have been drawn up to address flooding by way of rain gardens and an underground storage tank, but we need to identify the funding source and get those plans implemented as quickly as possible. Another concern is graffiti and general upkeep. I know from speaking with abutters that too often park facilities and surfaces are defaced and it takes a long time for the city to address it. In addition the quality of the field is not what it should be, and as the father of three kids, I know how important it is for parents to feel that their children will be safe when using our fields, and not be in danger of tripping in holes or dirt patches. Lastly I will oppose any efforts to install solar panels along Albemarle Road that involves removing trees. While I strongly support clean energy, it is my understanding that over the years the executive branch has periodically proposed removing trees along Albemarle Road in order to install solar panels there. Trees provide shade, clean the air, hold stormwater, provide habitat for birds and wildlife, and more. If anything I’d like to see more trees in the park, not fewer. I am intrigued by a plan by Charles River Watershed Association to restore natural banks and sinuosity to the Cheesecake Brook, as well as additional trees along the banks, and if elected, would work with Friends of Albemarle Park to ensure the park gets the investments necessary to be the truly world-class park our residents deserve. If you have particular feedback or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My email is micleyfornewton at gmail.com and my cell is 617-413-6330 – call or text anytime.

Candidate Dan Gaynor replied:

As a hometown kid, born and raised on Cabot Street, I’ve been a life-long visitor to Albemarle. It’s the gem of the Garden City: a place to play for kids across the City, particularly for students at Day, Horace Mann, and Newton North; fields for generations of Little Leaguers (including me, a former right fielder); and even the home of annual events like July 4th festivities and Newton Indigenous Peoples Day. It’s the most active park in our City. As a member of Green Newton, a career environmental advocate, and as a dad, I believe we’ve got to invest in protecting our community’s most dynamic green space.

I’m glad to say that the future of Albemarle looks strong. With the groundbreaking of the new Gath Pool behind us, I’m looking forward to taking my daughter to the new splash pad (and eventually, racing me in the swimming lanes). Indeed, I just chatted with the Pohlman’s about ways to ensure more kids access the incredible learning opportunities offered by the Newton Bluefish. I’m also glad to see the new 20 MPH Safety Zone signs up around Albemarle, ensuring our kids can walk and bike safely. Lastly, as we aim to foster more walkable villages across the City, I’m encouraged by the new traffic calming plans. With 4,000 children going to school around Albemarle, along with abutters Fessenden and NECP, it’s essential we mitigate any potential for accidents. 

Looking ahead, though, there’s more we can do to ensure the continued vitality of Albemarle. That starts with Cheesecake Brook. On the heels of the second-rainiest summer in Massachusetts history, we need to enact flood mitigation plans that both protect vulnerable homes and strengthen environmental protections around runoff that extends into the Charles River. I support the plan to install an underground storage tank, restore the sloping, natural banks of the brook, and augment it with bioretention basins. For more on my thoughts, please check out my comments on Cheesecake Brook in a recent debate by clicking here.

We also need to invest in our tree canopy throughout and around Albemarle. Newton has lost 20,000 trees since 1983, and we must do more to protect them. Trees play an essential role throughout Albemarle: mitigating floods, reducing runoff, preventing heat islands, offering shade to athletes and families, and creating the inviting green atmosphere our City is renowned for. 

Lastly, we can always make Albemarle more welcoming to even more residents. When it comes to concerns around turf fields, we should include both environmental and public health experts in the dialogue to dig into the potential risks and benefits. When it comes to graffiti, trash, and vandalism, we should seek to augment oversight of the park with more City funding for police or engaging community groups to deter such activities. And when it comes to access, we should continue to let more community groups — from musicians to educators — know how to work with the Friends of Albemarle Park to access space to teach and play. 

Above all, being a City Councilor means asking great questions — and acting on the answers. Call or text me anytime at 617-947-8550, and my email is dan at gaynorforma.com

Gath Pool Groundbreaking

On September 22, members of the Albemarle community gathered to celebrate the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. After almost 60 years of generations of swimming, learning, connection and play, the Gath pool was demolished. Speakers and guests at the groundbreaking included State Representative Kay Khan, Newton Mayor Fuller, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Nicole Banks and Parks Director Luis Perez Demorizi, Newton Public Buildings Commissioner Josh Morse, Bluefish swim coaches and leaders Mary and Scott Pohlman, and many others, from city councilors to your devoted FOA board, who were thrilled to say a few words of thanks and stand next to a shovel – as much as we mourn the end of the pool we love. The two new pools and splash pad are on track for a June ribbon-cutting!

Happy 3rd Birthday Friends of Albemarle!

Dear Friends, 

Exciting news! Today is the 3rd anniversary of the founding of Friends of Albemarle! Let’s celebrate! DONATE TODAY and mark this milestone with an investment in the organization’s operating budget. 

Easy new way to donate –  through our new Venmo account: @FriendsofAlbemarle – check it out here.

You can send us a check or donate by credit card – details here on our site!

Donation Levels:

Field of Dreams – $500 and up

Make a Splash – $250

Mighty Oak – $100 

Friend – Any Amount

In 3 years since being awarded 501(c)3 nonprofit status on August 24, 2020, Friends of Albemarle has supported:

-Creation of a mission, logo and membership of more than 500 people including many elected officials (incl. half of Newton City Council) 

-Funding, design, development for a new multi-million dollar Gath Pool (groundbreaking announced soon)

–Inclusion on CIP of an indoor pool at Newton South to help ease demand on North and Gath pools

-Funding, approval and design for new Field Design and Plan

–20 MPH Safety Zones instituted around the park, extending many blocks in all directions, one of the recommendations of the Roadway Safety Audit collaborated on by Friends of Albemarle and a key factor in the petition from Spring 2023

-New Traffic Calming management plans for mitigating accidents at the trio of intersections north of Albemarle (North/Crafts; Crafts/Albemarle; North/Albemarle) as well as the highly successful institution of Flex Posts to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety

–Closure of Albemarle Road between Crafts and North

-New Vision Plan for Cheesecake Brook Restoration

-Investment in Footbridges over Cheesecake Brook

-A drone’s perspective of Albemarle (just had to throw that in there)

-The double rainbow (I’ll stop, I promise!)

-Community building, information sharing, and generally good news

Thank you to Safe Routes to School; Newton Parks and Recreation; Newton Department of Public Works and Engineering; Newton Traffic Council; Bike Newton; Newton City Councilors and Mayor; and especially….you, and all 500+ friends of Albemarle, without whom these efforts would not be possible.

Gratefully, 

Board of Friends of Albemarle

Newton, MA

Field Notes: Summer 2023

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the summer edition of the Friends of Albemarle newsletter! 

The hawks are soaring, the baseballs are flying, and Gath pool is a glistening brilliant blue and doing the important work of keeping our community cool during these very hot days. (Which is increasingly rare, and precious, according to this interesting CNN article.)

Keeping this short for summer:

New traffic laws in effect

Did you see the new 20 MPH Safety Zone signs up around Albemarle? Safety is a great look for our park! The new rules came after important community conversations, so thank you, petition signers, (and also thank you to our Traffic Council for approving them, and DPW for installing them). 

The regular accidents this spring (here are some pictures) kept us continuing to worry about our older and younger residents (and everyone in between) trying to cross the intersections. We’re glad that more traffic improvements are on the horizon. A new pilot is planned; bidder selection starts this week.

Project plan website

New pool planning

As you may remember (!!) the new pool design was given unanimous approval and is funded with $7.8 million. 

The groundbreaking is scheduled for this coming September.

Project plan website

Project design website 

Cheesecake Brook

The Charles River Watershed Association has shared a vision plan for naturalizing Cheesecake Brook. 

Giving the stream more curves and fewer culverts will lead to less flooding, and we are hopeful that these changes can be enacted soon. 

As we all learned in the recent Vermont flooding, the trend toward stream straightening has worsened the local impact of climate change. 

Annual meeting

Exciting news – for the 3rd anniversary of the founding of FOA on August 23, 2023, we will launch a Capital Campaign! All members will be invited to donate, with different options at a range of tiers of giving.

Look for more information soon!

The View from Albemarle

Fireworks!!!

We’re not talking about the advocacy kinds of fireworks…we’re talking about the July 4th kind. Super fun! A full house at Albemarle (10,000 people!) spent a beautiful evening oooohing and aaaaahing to a spectacular display. 

Stay cool and enjoy that open green space,

Cedar

President, Friends of Albemarle

Flex Posts

We’ve written to the Newton Traffic Council, and published in Fig City, the following letter:

The board of Friends of Albemarle wants to share some insight about the experiences of pedestrians and cyclists using the intersection of Albemarle Rd. and Crafts St. ever since the flex posts were installed in the vicinity of this intersection.


We have found and heard from others that the flex posts currently in place are tremendously useful for people trying to cross the street on foot, or biking through the intersection. We are enthusiastic about the placement of all the flex posts. It is now far safer to walk across the intersection. Our more vulnerable park users are much better able to be seen by drivers, and everyone can access the park much more safely than before.

We recognize that limiting the exit flow from two to one lanes slows down traffic on Albemarle, but we have found that to be a great benefit to the people using the park. It seems that Albemarle field continues to have the same amount of recreational usage as any other summer.

Albemarle Road is not a place we think drivers should expect to travel down quickly. People are now changing their behavior by dropping off on Watertown Street or making other choices rather than driving down Albemarle, and we think that’s a positive change for the area.

In the future, we would favor a more permanent installation to manage traffic flow, rather than flex posts, which are vulnerable to snow and crashes. Also, we would advocate for a speed bump on the hill on Crafts that drivers use heading East through the intersection because it often creates a dynamic of increased speed.


Board of Friends of Albemarle