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Parks + Open Space Projects

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Welcome to the Parks + Open Space Project page! We are excited to share Current Park project information. Below please find project updates and documents, upcoming meetings and past meeting recordings, and staff contact information.

Meeting Reminders & Updates:

Public Meeting for Edmands Park Off-Leash Proposal on December 11, 2024 at 6:30pm at City Hall. Meeting information and Zoom registration link can be found here.

The full Edmands Off-Leash Proposal, including survey responses, can be read here.

The Edmands for All proposal, against making the park off-leash, can be found here. And their survey responses are here.

Current Projects & Initiatives

Parks Master Project List

Albemarle / Russ Halloran Sports + Recreation Complex

ATHLETIC FIELD IMPROVEMENTS @ ALBEMARLE

PRC Presents Preferred Plan to the Parks & Recreation Commission on June 27th, 2022

Parks and Recreation Commission Public Hearing Presentation_06272022

Meeting Recording Albemarle Discussion Starts at 28.58 Mins

Community Meeting # 3: PRC presents 2 Athletic Field and Court Improvement options @ Albemarle

20220602_Community Meeting Presentation

Meeting Closed Captioning

Community Meeting # 2: PRC presents Athletic Field + Court Improvements @ Albemarle + Gath Pool Project

Click Here for the May 3rd, 2022 Meeting recording

20220503_Albemarle Redesign Community Meeting # 2

20220425_Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Presentation

Albemarle 2022 Community Survey Results

Community Meeting # 1: PRC presents preliminary goals and budget for Athletic Field Improvements @ Albemarle

10-20-21 Presentation

10-20-21 Webinar Video

10-20-21 Webinar Audio

10-20-21 Chat

10-20-21 Closed Caption

Athletic Fields 5-Year Strategic Plan

5-YEAR ATHLETIC FIELDS STRATEGIC PLAN

Plan Updates:

FY 25 Athletic Fields Projects Parks, Recreation & Culture Construction Update 032524

FY 25 Athletic Fields Projects Construction Update Meeting Recording 032524

A Night With Parks, Recreation & Culture_Programs and Services 6.21.23

FY 23-25 Athletic Fields Projects Parks, Recreation & Culture CPC Construction Funding April 11 2023

Parks, Recreation & Culture CPC preapplication FY 23-25 Athletic Fields Projects March 14 2023

Parks, Recreation & Culture Projects and Maintenance_ Programs and Services Update 2.16.23

Parks, Recreation & Culture Capital Projects and Maintenance_ CPC Update_Feb 14 2023

Parks, Recreation & Culture Projects _ Programs and Services Committee Update 1.18.23

PRC projects master list PS Committee 1.18.2023

City Council update on field projects, field use fees 6.22.22 (topic starts at 42 min)

City Council Programs and Services presentation 6.22.22

Athletic Field Strategic Plan Update - Conservation Commission Discussion January 6th 2022

City Council Athletic Fields Update December 8th 2021

PRC Athletic Fields Capital Plan_Community Preservation Committee Application August 10th 2021

PRC Athletic Fields Capital Plan_Community Preservation Committee Preapplication July 13th 2021

Braceland Playground

Brown-Oak Hill Middle School Fields

ATHLETIC FIELD IMPROVEMENTS @ BROWN-OAK HILL MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Project Update:

Coordination with NPS, multipurpose field user groups, Safe Routes to Schools, and Bike Newton
Topographic survey completed
Drone Imagery Completed
Initial designs in progress

Community Meeting # 2

Brown-Oak Hill Field Improvements Plan Presentation

Meeting Recording: Recording starts at 1hr 58mins

Community Meeting # 1

10/27/21 Presentation

10/27/21 Webinar Video

This video includes Burr School and Brown/Oak Middle School Presentation

10/27/21 Webinar Chat

10/27/21 Webinar Closed Caption

Burr Elementary School Fields

ATHLETIC FIELD IMPPROVEMENTS @ BURR SCHOOL

Project Updates:

Coordination with NPS, multipurpose field user groups, Safe Routes to Schools, and Bike Newton
Topographic survey completed
Drone Imagery Completed
Initial designs in progress

Community Meeting # 2

Burr School Field Improvements Plan Presentation

Meeting Recording: Recording starts at 0.00 minutes

Community Meeting # 1

10/27/21 presentation

10/27/21 Webinar video

The video includes Burr School and Brown/Oak Middle School Presentation

10/27/21 Webinar Chat

10/27/21 Webinar Closed Caption

Cabot Park

IMPROVEMENTS @ CABOT PARK

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Meeting #2:

Butterfly Pavilion Rendering

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Build Meeting 2 Recording

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Meeting #2 Presentation 06232022

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Meeting #1:

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Build Meeting 1 Recording

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Meeting 1 Presentation 06152022

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Build_MassArt Presentation February 28, 2022

Other Improvements:

Cabot Park Improvements - Parks and Recreation Commission Presentation May 16 2022

Crystal Lake Park + Beach

Forte Park

Gath Pool

NSHS + NNHS Sports Lighting

NSHS + NNHS Synthetic Turf Replacement Projects

NSHS + NNHS Synthetic Turf Replacement Project

Newton South High School Turf and Track Improvement

Project Information and Updates:

Total Project Budget: $3.5M

Turf Manufacturer: Shaw Sports Turf

TPE Infill Manufacturer: Guardian Sports

Turf Recycling Facility: APW Enterprises, LLC

Contractor: R.A.D Sports

August 2023 Updates:

New turf carpet installation begins; seams glued, tick marks and center logos inlayed; TPE and sand infill spread and groomed; track markings painted; stadium field GMAX rating tested; stadium field ready for preseason use; old Brandeis field turf and infill removed, stockpiled and hauled to recycling facility; subgrade prepared at Brandeis field; new turf and infill for Brandeis field arrives; new Brandeis field turf carpet installed; Brandeis field infill installation pending.

Winkler Stadium:

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Brandeis Field:

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July 2023 Updates:

Contractor mobilizes; erosion control measures installed at stadium field; stadium field drain and filters cleaned; track repaired and resurfaced; old stadium turf and crumb rubber infill removed, stockpiled and hauled away to recycling facility; stadium field subgrade prepared; new turf and TPE infill for stadium field arrives.

Winkler Stadium:

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Community Meeting #1

Synthetic Turf Replacements Community Meeting #1 Presentation_10.24.22

Synthetic Turf Replacements Community Meeting #1 Recording

Louise Levingston Cove

LOUISE LEVINGSTON COVE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT @ CRYSTAL LAKE

Project Update:

Park closed as of November 28th
Construction work began the week of December 5th
Construction contractor: SUMCO ECO-CONTRACTING
Public construction bid: BID 23-25
Expected completion date: Fall 2023
Project funding source: Newton Community Preservation Act (CPA) Funds
Project Narrative and other Information: Newton Conservators Newsletter Project Write-up

August 2023 Project Recap

Riprap and Stone installed near Berwick Rd entrance to curtail severe erosion observed during recent rain events; Partial completion of new code-compliant stairs; 1982 Louise Levingston Cove Monument repositioned to the Berwick Road entrance; Upper retaining seat wall at water's access point completed; installation of natural stone veneer and granite cap for walls begin; partial installation of wildflower seed mix completed.

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July 2023 Project Recap

Fishing platform and on-grade decks completed, concrete walkways and ADA ramp completed; additional soil placement completed; stone dust pathways completed; Additional temporary plant establishment fence installed; wood guardrail along Lake ave. installed

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June 2023 Project Recap

North side of the Park: Fishing platform steel frame erected; partial placement of reclaimed natural stone wall; lightweight fill placement behind new walls on existing retaining wall; continued subsurface preparation for ADA walkway.

May 2023 Project Recap

South side of the Park: Landscaping, rain gardens and stone dust pathway completed; trees, shrubs and lawn planted and under establishment; partial installation of landscape establishment fence; reclaimed natural stone shoreline completed.
North Side of the Park: Cheek walls for ADA walkway from Berwick to Lakewood completed; ADA walkway subsurface preparation begins; fishing platform pile cap completed; trees planted; partial planting soil placement; fishing platform steel frame arrives

Weeks of March 27th, 2023 through May 12th, 2023: Continued site restoration; granite curbing installation continues; continued pathway preparation; boulder placement at shoreline completed; steel edging installed at southern end of site; partial completion of rain gardens; partial planting; pile cap reinforcement installation completed; pile cap concrete poured and curing; on-grade deck preparation; hydroseeding and stone dust pathway installed at the southern end of the site completed.

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Weeks of March 13th, 2023 through March 24th, 2023: Continued site preparation; granite curbing installation continues; pathway subsurface preparation; rain garden stone layer installed.

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Weeks of February 13th, 2023 through March 10th, 2023: Continued site preparation; park boulder inventory; granite curb subsurface preparation; granite curbing arrives; granite curbing installation begins.

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Weeks of January30th, 2023 through February 10th, 2023: Continued site preparation; Park boulder inventory; retaining wall subsurface preparation; rain garden outfall construction

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Weeks of January 9th, 2023 through January 23rd, 2023: Continued site preparation; Park boulder inventory; cantilever deck base preparation, rain garden subgrade preparation; rain garden overflow structure preparation

20230127_084854 20230127_084921 20230126_121303 20230125_121113 20230119_114234 20230118_090637

Weeks of January 9th, 2022 through January 16th, 2023: Continued site preparation; Tree pruning; Park boulder inventory

20230118_090453 20230118_090119

Weeks of December 26th, 2022 through January 5th, 2023: Continued removal of concrete walkway; Removal of existing stonedust path; subgrade excavation for rain gardens and new pathways; Continued micropile drilling and grouting; Additional micropile load tests.

Week of December 12th, 2022: Continued removal of concrete walkway; micropile casings and equipment arrival; Load test micropile drilled; Load test prepared; micropile drilling begins.

Week of December 5th, 2022: Erosion controls and tree protection installed; handrails removed; existing low retaining wall removed; partial removal of concrete walkway; Staging area at Crystal Lake Park prepared.

Week of November 28th, 2022: Construction fence and windscreen installed

Project Documents:

2021 09 22 Levingston Cove Permitting Set

Levingston Cove Conservation Commission Order Of Conditions - Special Conditions

Massachusetts Historic Commission Permit Application- Levingston Cove

Levingston Cove_CH 91

Levingston Cove CPC Construction Funding Meeting Presentation

Levingston Cove Parks Commission 5-20-19

Levingston Cove Mtg 04-22-2019

Levingston Cove- Parks Commission 4-23-18

Marty Sender Greenway Restoration

MARTY SENDER GREENWAY RESTORATION PROJECT

Project Update:

Phase 1:

Completed in July, 2022

Phase 2:

September 29th Marty Sender Phase 2 Community Meeting Recording

Marty Sender Greenway Restoration Phase 2_ Project Update Meeting Presentation

Project Background and News:

Project News:

The City of Newton received this week a $340,298 MassTrails Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to complete the second phase of the Marty Sender Greenway Restoration, a 3,700-foot section of the Blue Heron Trail along the Charles River in Auburndale, aptly referred to as the “Riverwalk.”

Phase 2 work will enhance the circulation of water between the Charles River and wetlands, expand wildlife habitat, and reestablish the natural ebb and flow within the flood plain behind Lyons field. The design and permitting process for this phase will begin this summer and go out to bid by the Spring of 2023.

A big thanks goes to the Newton Conservators and the Solomon Foundation for pledging $10,000 each toward the design and engineering costs, and to Ted Chapman of the Riverside Greenway Working Group who helped write the grant application, and Ward 4 Councilors Chris Markiewicz, Lenny Gentile and Josh Krintzman for their advocacy on the restoration of the Greenway.

Background:

The Marty Sender Greenway is a 3700-foot-long section of the Blue Heron Trail, aptly referred to as the ‘Riverwalk’. Named for the journalist and environmental activist Marty Sender, this exciting project will allow a heavily used section of the Blue Heron Trail along the Charles River to adapt to increasingly frequent flooding and allow universal access to numerous, multi-seasonal recreational opportunities and scenic vistas of the Charles to many Newtonians, residents of the Commonwealth and visitors from beyond. The current trail is generally level, with some areas requiring minor grading to ensure accessibility. Overall, grades within this project are appropriate to satisfy MAAB Regulations (521 CMR) with minimal regrading required. The existing trail is widely popular and loved by many residents of Newton and adjacent communities. However, the trail’s popularity, coupled with changing hydrology, have rendered this portion of the riverfront trail inaccessible and impassible in some sections. It is the city’s goal to convert the popular trail into a pathway network that is inclusive to all users. With the help of this MassTrails Grant, the city will be able to design and install a second phase of improvements along 1200 feet of the Marty Sender Greenway which will include a 550-foot-long, 12-foot wide, fully accessible boardwalk. This project will complement the Phase 1 work – 1320-feet of accessibility improvements on the northern end of the trail – to be completed by the city in the Spring of 2022.

Phase 1 of the Marty Sender Greenway Restoration Project, funded by the City of Newton in 2020 using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but has been publicly bid for construction and will be completed in the Summer of 2022. Phase 1 will upgrade the existing degraded path by creating an average 10-foot-wide tread of stabilized stone dust with 1-foot-wide tactile shoulders. Phase 1 restoration construction bid came in at just over $66,000 to make the primary Treadway and supporting wooded outlooks wheelchair accessible using stabilized stone dust. The city has designed and will manage construction for this phase.

Phase 2 of the Marty Sender Greenway Restoration Project will upgrade 1200-feet of the existing, degraded, shared-use path. The goal is to complete accessibility and safety improvements over the entirety of this 3700-foot-long section of the Blue Heron Trail that passes through parkland owned by the City of Newton. The phase 2 project will improve and enhance the hydrologic connection between the river and the wetlands within the park, expand wildlife habitat and vegetated wetland, and reestablish natural ebb and flow within the flood plain. The city is also planning to replace a sewer line through portions of the limit of work for Phase 2 in the Spring and Summer of 2022. The Parks, Recreation & Culture Department will be coordinating design of the boardwalk very closely with the city’s DPW and their consultant to ensure both infrastructure and pathway can coexist.

Phase 3 of the trail timeframe is unknow and funding source has not been identified