Impact of Beautiful Newtonville

Beautiful Newtonville is a volunteer grassroots organization of local residents,businesses, commercial property owners, and nonprofits committed to revitalizing the village of Newtonville, Massachusetts while fostering a renewed spirit of civic engagement. Our planning teams empower volunteers of all ages to work together and collaborate with government agencies to revitalize Newtonville and experience the fulfillment of collective action.

Founded in 2011, Beautiful Newtonville has had significant impact

Encouraged the City of Newton to initiate

Newtonville Village Day

The first ever Newtonville Village Day occurred in the Fall of 2012.  Each year Beautiful Newtonville and the Newtonville Area council works with the city to improve Village Day.  Newtonville Village day has booths, and  amateur and professional musical performances by the Newtonville Jazz and Wine Festival. The City also implemented the following initial improvements to downtown Newtonville in advance of Village Day:

  • Replaced plastic trash cans with new black metal trash and recycling receptacles.
  • Replaced a dilapidated chain fence with black columns between Austin St and Shaw’ parking lot.
  • Put metal flower pots on the bridge over the Mass Turnpike.
  • Painted downtown parking spots, crosswalks, and curbs

NewtonServes

BN has organized NewtonServes events which have included:

  • Repaired and repainted Walnut Street and Washington Street bus stops
  • Trimmed and mulched bushes and trees
  • trash pick-up

Newtonville Area Council

In 2013 Beautiful Newtonville secured the Board of Alderman approval for the formation of the locally elected Newtonville Area Council, installed in 2014.

Survey of Newtonville Businesses and Residents

Conducted the first survey of Newtonville residents and businesses creating a collective vision for our downtown

Revitalization of Walnut Street and Washington Street

Persuaded Newton’s Planning and Development Department to commit to a revitalization plan for Walnut St. from Newtonville Ave. to Washington Park, featuring community gathering points, wider sidewalks, benches, new street lamps, more trees, and more visible crosswalks

Raised over $6,000 from residents and businesses for 200 cedar flower planters built by NNHS students and installed on Washington Street.  Currently raising money for cedar planters and benches on Walnut St and other expenses