The new Touch, Sound and Sight Gardens have been planted at the Community Commons.  

The Commons, constructed with a Community Preservation Act grant, features a Victorian-style white wood gazebo, benches, tables, and a tri-level accessible drinking fountain, provides the very active Albemarle park with a fully accessible, multi-generational passive recreation space.

In late June, volunteers from the Second Church, UCC in West Newton planted the new gardens. Designed by Playground Project director Stephanie Rogers, the gardens are accessible to adults and children with visual and/or mobility restrictions.  The Touch Garden – planted in a raised wheelchair accessible bed designed and built by Playground Project director Curtis Betts – features “please touch!” moss, herbs and other plants with appealing scents and textures.  The Sound Garden features a variety of grasses that make interesting sounds when ruffled by the summer breeze. And once in full bloom, the new Sight Garden will offer an attractive mix of flowers with bright colors and strong contrasts.  

Work has begun at the Gath Pool on the new CPA-funded accessibility enhancements. 

The new wheel-chair accessible drinking fountains have been installed, and grab bars are now in the showers. Work has begun on a new rubberized, slip-resistant floor, and 14 new accessible benches have been ordered for the pool deck. Once the pool closes for the summer, the supports for a new sunshade for the kiddie pool and part of the main pool will be installed. The sunshade will be up and operational for the 2007 swim season!