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: Design
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”
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.
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!!”
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”
Field Notes: Friends of Albemarle Spring 2025 Newsletter
Dear Friends, Have you SEEN Albemarle lately? Because there is a LOT to see! We’ve got 7 things in particular: 1. Feats of Climate Engineering:https://friendsofalbemarle.wordpress.com/2025/05/12/albemarlengineering Work is underway to mitigate the effects of climate change by accommodating flooding under the field at Albemarle. It’s a fascinating feat of engineering that models the way for how weContinue reading “Field Notes: Friends of Albemarle Spring 2025 Newsletter”
Albemarlengineering
Work is underway to mitigate the effects of climate change by accommodating flooding under the field at Albemarle. It’s a fascinating feat of engineering that models the way for how we can adapt…and it’s pretty cool to watch the progress.
18 Months In: Back-in parking worked all fall, winter and continues into spring
To Mayor Fuller and the Newton City Council, I’m reaching out to share the success, at Albemarle, of back-in parking. I know we’ve shared it before, and I don’t want to waste anyone’s time, but I have learned that we need to speak up about the positive wins rather than take them for granted. InContinue reading “18 Months In: Back-in parking worked all fall, winter and continues into spring”
Call for Artists
The group Newton Community Pride has put out a call for artists to create murals at Gath Pool! If you are an artist or muralist, or know of any who might be interested, please share this notice, as the May 1st deadline is fast approaching. Albemarle is a great place for art and community spirit, andContinue reading “Call for Artists”
Friends of Albemarle 