Having invested our time and energy into supporting safe and accessible community use of Albemarle over the past few years, we, the board of Friends of Albemarle, are writing to encourage you to please push forward with planned synthetic turf fields at both North and Albemarle. This letter is intended to represent the opinion of the board.
The organization for which we volunteer as board, Friends of Albemarle, is a certified 501(c)3 nonprofit with more than 500 members including two state representatives and half of Newton city council.
We care deeply about the environment and have fought consistently for open green space. In fact, it is this concern that makes us write to you today.
Newton has taken many steps to ensure the greatest level of environmental responsibility in the use of synthetic turf, including recycling the old turf. These two turf installations would bring us to a mere 6% of our total fields (118 acres total), leaving the other 110 acres to remain as grass fields. No other synthetic turf is planned. This is simply a way to manage extremely high-volume areas of use, much like we choose to use asphalt instead of dirt on our main roads.
Please be aware that any delay of the synthetic turf at Albemarle will also delay the installation of a planned bike and walking path that will create significantly safer conditions at Albemarle, not to mention improved grass fields, wetlands integration and rainwater management, and better lighting that allows for the healthy outdoor community recreation for which we have worked so very hard.
We don’t see a reason to unfairly limit the recreation of North students and Albemarle community users, especially based on the idea that a turf field is somehow different and more concerning than the many other uses of plastics in our homes and schools, from take-out containers to classroom chairs to playgrounds. With two synthetic turf fields on the south side of the city, we think the time is right for two functional fields on the north side as well (including a replacement of North’s turf so that games can proceed as planned).
We’re writing to celebrate and praise the new back-in parking format and painted bike lane for Albemarle. It is safer than it has ever been.The new signage is abundantly clear, the stripes are visible and usefully placed, and we are observing nearly 100% compliance. On both weekend and weekend mornings and afternoons, whether 1 car is parked at Albemarle (a rarity) or 40 cars (much more common), just about everyone is parking correctly (pictures here and here).
This leaves drivers able to pull forward with full visibility of the road and also of anyone using the new bike path that runs alongside Cheesecake Brook. It also means that each car’s trunk space is now easily accessible to field users, and parents of young children don’t need to catch and shepherd them around open car doors, but instead send them safely and directly to the sidewalk.
While it’s not easy to measure things like “less honking,” or “more relaxed users who have less fear and anxiety than before,” the fact is that those things are palpable nonetheless. As a city, we’re changing the culture and accessibility of Albemarle. Add to that the benefit that people can start to use the bike path instead of the sidewalk when biking, and pedestrians can breathe easier, too.
As you know, we saw the flex posts working very well at Albemarle and Crafts, so with those gone for the winter, we’re thankful to have the enhanced safety of back-in parking. We’re looking forward to having flex posts back in the spring, but also excited about the new RRFB (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon) at Albemarle and Crafts, which is fantastic for pedestrian safety.
Thank you for your continued attention and support for community access at Albemarle. As great as we make it together, it must be safe to access.
Woohoo! We can cross the road! Albemarle and Crafts now has an RRFB (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon). Cars slow down at the touch of a button. This makes it much safer to access Albemarle on foot. Thank you Newton DPW and Traffic Council!
It is working! Morning, noon and night….whether for weekday work or weekend meet-ups on the playground, the people of Newton are expertly back-in parking at Albemarle. This road never been safer or less anxiety-provoking than it is today. Thank you to the Newton DPW, Transportation Department, Neighborways Team and others who made it happen!
Look at all these cars back-in parking on Albemarle. Hooray!! This is the first time this road has been safe since it has perhaps existed (or at least in decades!).
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.
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.
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!
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!):
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
Construction has been going at an intense pace since the end of September, and one month in, Gath Pool is gone. Rubble, metal, concrete and dearly departed diving boards are being cleared out to make space for two new pools and a splash pad.
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!
Friends of Albemarle 