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 bikedContinue reading “Field Notes: Friends of Albemarle Newsletter Spring 2026”
Category Archives: City of Newton Leadership
A Historical Spring
It’s hard to believe but these photos will be considered historical at some point! We will look back and say we remember all that equipment. Doing…something! Pictured are new lights at Murphy, the gorgeous new basketball court poured and netted, impressive machines and…. kids practicing on whatever field they can get on.
Cheesecake Brook: wetlands work is underway
The development of the new version of Albemarle includes investment in the wetlands. Cheesecake Brook is a tributary of the Charles River and part of a large watershed that receives water from a third of the city. In addition to several species of native fish, the Brook has been found to contain eels!
Field Notes: Friends of Albemarle Newsletter Winter 2026
Dear Friends, I was starting to think we’d have to become Friends of the Tundra, but I have it on good authority that the ground is under there somewhere. Construction: How’s it Going?Short answer: Fantastic! The contractors are hard at work and on schedule. Scenes: On the Path to Pathways Gosh That’s A Lot ofContinue reading “Field Notes: Friends of Albemarle Newsletter Winter 2026”
Field Notes: Fall 2025 Newsletter
Friends, It’s a time of transition. Many of the beautiful leaves are still with us…for a little while longer. As are the construction vehicles.Field UpdateThe synthetic turf field was fully installed as of early October and supports play of all kinds. This is the only community synthetic turf access in Newton, and it’s exciting to see it getting regularContinue reading “Field Notes: Fall 2025 Newsletter”
First Days of the Synthetic Turf in Action
By mid-October, the new synthetic turf at Albemarle was in full swing, being used for field hockey, football, flag football, and selfies. Features a swanky cleat cleaner among other bells and whistles. This is the fourth —and likely final, for the foreseeable future— synthetic turf installation in Newton. It replaces the most heavily used grassContinue reading “First Days of the Synthetic Turf in Action”
Back-In Parking Fall 2025: Still Working…Still Running
It’s especially impressive when dozens of families arrive from other towns, encounter the park for the first time, and seamlessly back-in park at Albemarle. Here, Day Middle competes in cross-country as parents look on. It’s easy to see that everyone parked correctly – no exceptions. But the wild thing is…also no honking. No backing outContinue reading “Back-In Parking Fall 2025: Still Working…Still Running”
Construction: views of Albemarle along Crafts Street
A literal snapshot in time of the ever-changing landscape of the Albemarle fields, paths, wetlands and flood mitigation project which is in the middle of Phase 1. With 12 months to go, the North field (seen here) is still expected to be playable by mid-September.
Goodbye to Luis
We’re so grateful to Luis Perez Demorizi, who worked closely with us in his role as Director of Parks and Open Space in Newton, for his hard work, energy and dedication to Albemarle and the massive rebuild currently underway. His collaborative spirit, tenacity, and relationships with contractors, community and city officials were major elements ofContinue reading “Goodbye to Luis”
5 Years of FOA!!
Can you believe it’s been FIVE YEARS since Friends of Albemarle was founded by a small, committed group of volunteer residents and park users who wanted to ensure the accessibility and sustainable use of this incredible open space resource? It’s true! This community nonprofit, with hundreds of members from all 8 wards across Newton, hasContinue reading “5 Years of FOA!!”
Friends of Albemarle 