"Friends of Albemarle" is Formed

The city's proposal to site a football stadium at Albemarle Park spurred a group of Newtonville neighbors to take a more active role in preservation and management of the neighborhood open spaces. The Friends of Albemarle was created to "support and improve Albemarle Park , Cheesecake Brook, and other open spaces in north Newtonville, for the enjoyment of everyone in the community." The long-term goal of the group is to work with Parks & Recreation, other city departments, the Charles River Pathway project and other groups on developing a master plan and cohesive strategy for Albemarle Park , Avery Wood, Cheesecake Brook and the Charles River Pathway.

In spring 2004, the Friends have several events and projects in the works:

• On April 25, the Friends of Albemarle will be working with NewtonServes teams on a Spring cleanup of Cheesecake Brook and Avery Wood, and maintenance of the wooden playground equipment at the Park. Contact Beverly Droz at 617-796-1290 to volunteer for one of the Albemarle clean-up teams.
  
• An outdoor discussion of potential improvements , a step toward development of a master plan for the area, will be held in mid-May at the Park. Contact the Friends of Albemarle for more information: info@FriendsofAlbemarle.org .
  
• A walk through the park , including Avery Wood and along the Cheesecake Brook corridor to the newest part of the Charles River Pathway, is tentatively planned for June. Contact info@FriendsofAlbemarle.org for date and meeting location.

For more information on activities or to join the group, contact Curtis Betts at 617-965-1799 or Margaret Albright 617-969-0497, or email info@FriendsofAlbemarle.org .

March 2004

Margaret Albright