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”
Category Archives: City Planning
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”
Soaking in the Murals
As co-founder and president of Friends of Albemarle, a nonprofit for an urban park, I often reflect that the pay is zero but the reward is community, so it’s a pretty good gig. One benefit: Being part of the Spark Newton mural selection committee and advocating for the mural art of Amanda Bradley Hill. IContinue reading “Soaking in the Murals”
Another accident at Albemarle
Word spread of another crash at Albemarle tonight. No details, but speculation that someone was trying to take a left onto Crafts off northbound Albemarle, which is always a risky move. Someone not familiar with the area might not be aware of the danger of this intersection. As we know, this intersection gets high useContinue reading “Another accident at Albemarle”
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!!”
Back-In Parking Summer Success Edition
Dual Bluefish swim meets with dozens of families from other towns? Days at the field, Camp drop-off, Construction inspections, Hot summer days, Summer morning coffee chats at the newly beautified Field House? Back in parking, back in parking, back in parking! Even when people don’t know Newton, they know how back in park. Backing INContinue reading “Back-In Parking Summer Success Edition”
5 years later…
Anyone remember wearing these stickers to City Council meetings? Looking back as Friend of Albemarle turns 5, I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish as a community!
How drainage will work at Albemarle
Luis Perez Demorizi, Newton’s Director of Parks and Open Space, describes in the video above how the new flood mitigation system will work at Albemarle. In a big rainstorm, the water rushing downhill from Crafts St and Avery Woods will be caught and held in a basin under the field, where it will percolate straightContinue reading “How drainage will work at Albemarle”
Friends of Albemarle 