What this place could look like.... Newton Now

For those who asked for more information regarding the Newton Town Centre Plans.
 Below is the link to the official document, and a few images of what this place could look like when the plans are implemented. 

 Newton residents from all neighbourhoods, including Panorama Ridge, Sullivan Heights and Panorama Village have been patiently waiting for the Town Centre to be developed. Now we see others parts of Surrey are being invited to open houses to showcase plans for their neighbourhoods. 
Newton residents, 140,000 strong are asking what about us? 

 Over the last few years the city of Surrey has maintained  that "Newton was Next".  
Expanded recreation, arts and culture facilities are needed in Surrey's fastest growing area. The families here deserve to have  the same calibre of amenities as other parts of this city. The business sector has done its part to step up and will continue to do so with the newly formed BIA. Now it's the city's time to make good on its commitment to create a liveable vibrant town centre in the heart of Surrey. 

 Newton Next? Let's make it Newton Now.

Newton Town Centre Plans - Check it Out

Surrey's population can handle several farmers markets throughout the city.

We're a multicultural city- Let's embrace that!

Public Spaces create Safe Places 

International Village for Newton /  Midtown Market?

Festival Street on 137th?

Public Markets are one of the things that makes a city great

We have lots of little ethnic specialty shops in Newton. Greco's is just one!

Midtown Music Night ?

Official City of Surrey plan for 137th St ( Festival Street)

Newton businesses &  BIA is asking for pay parking to be removed on 137th St. Here's why.

Great things can happen when we work together for the good of our city and its citizens.Newton Town Centre Plans - Check it Out

Police Week in Surrey!

Meet Your Local RCMP !

Wednesday, May 14

11-8PM

District Office Open Houses

May 14, 2014 – 11:00am-8:00pm
District 1 City Centre - 10720 King George Boulevard
District 2 Guildford/Fleetwood - 10395 148 Street
District 3 Newton - 7235 137 Street
District 4 Cloverdale/Port Kells - 5732 - 176A Street
District 5 South Surrey - 100 - 1815 152 Street

As we celebrate Police Week, join us for cake and coffee and meet your District RCMP officers and staff. RCMP displays, entertainment, fun for kids, and community safety information will be on hand.

 Keeping us safe in the 'hood

Newton Now- It's time to take action

   Newton must be given its fair shake. Residents here have been very patient, but there's a limit to the number of times they will put up with being passed over for improved amenities and public facilities. Newton gets all the "bad stuff" but waits patiently for the promise of Festival Street, and new and expanded arts and recreation facilities.

 We hear the  cries everywhere.  When  will Newton get the long promised revitalization?  

Large part of venue for Newton Festival 2013 was held here-
What does this say about the level of respect the 140K residents of Newton get?
Their festival held in a back parking lot.

Newton Arena- Teen Skate Cancelled

Cloverdale Recreation Centre-Gorgeous artwork inside a multi-use facility.
The families of Newton, an area that includes Panorama Ridge, Sullivan Station, North Ridge and Sullivan Heights deserve the same calibre of facilities.

Notice board in disrepair outside Newton Arena.

No More "Newton Next"- demand Newton Now

Newton residents deserve better. They deserve the type of amenities that South Surrey recently received with its gorgeous arts and recreation centre expansion. 

South Surrey arts space

Pottery studio at South Surrey Rec Centre

Families everywhere in this city need  to have the same opportunities. We can't  create a city of haves and have-nots. It's not working.  140,000 people live in Newton. That alone deserves some respect and attention.  

Kids need art! Especially lower income vulnerable ones

Grand Opening South Surrey Arts and Recreation Centre expansion.

  It's Newton's  Time in the Spotlight. Let's make it happen.

Time for the Suburbs to Grow Up!

Last Spring I  had the privilege of meeting architect, urban designer and professor  Ellen Dunham-Jones at Simon Fraser University in Surrey. We talked about our city's challenges and she encouraged us to keep  up the 'fight' to Retrofit Newton and the King George corridor.

 This  TED video truly mirrors what ReNewton is all about.  

Do you have 19 minutes? Watch the whole thing. It's worth it!

Placemaking Videos Playlist

In no particular order, a few of ReNewton's favourite Placemaking and Retrofitting Suburbia Videos

More from Friends of the Grove's Love-in for Newton

 CTV and other networks were on hand Saturday as 

Friends of the Grove held the first "Love-in for Newton" 

 Check it out!

Newton neighbours take back “The Grove” | CTV Vancouver News

We had bagpipes, lots of guitars, a banjo, acoustic bass
 and even a shofar. Gotta be a first!

Two Dudes Chillin' Park?

One of the Community Safety Officers that stopped by during one of the weekly planning sessions

This chess game went on for hours.

This event was just the kick-off to all sorts of quirky creative happenings planned for this pretty under utilized park .
We're taking it back, paying it forward and having lots of fun in the process. 

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Love-In for Downtown Newton

  Today's Friends of the Grove  event was a resounding success!

 So many  people showed up despite the cool damp weather. Here are just a few photos from today. Will write more in an upcoming post.

 In the meantime just want to say how very proud  I am of my community. 

 Newton, the centre of this city, has a whole lot of heart and soul and some very cool people.

Playing Chess on the permanent board carved into a tree stump a few weeks ago.



This group of friendly women handed out homemade cookies all day.

Bagpipers Played throughout the morning -Thanks guys!

We all had a chance to learn how to silk screen!

Little girls coming from ballet class stopped by and got creative.  We saw lots of tutus today. Ballet class  appears to be very popular  at the  Newton rec centre. 

Two of the first arriving . They got straight to work creating happy drawings on the trees. And they did it in ballet tutus!

Neighbours and new friends sharing ideas on what they'd like to see happen in this lovely green area. 
Night markets, Summer evening concerts, farmers markets....

Jammin' at the Grove- loved this 

One of my new little friends 

The Poet Tree 

This gentleman treated us to the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the shofar. 

Yes, it's true. Newton is the true heart of Surrey.
 And today, that heart is full of love for our community.

Well Done Friends of the Grove, and all those who volunteered their time, energy and love for our fellow humans. 

This is just the start of a whole new vibe in the neighbourhood.

Friends of The Grove - Today!

             Friends of The Grove  !

 Happens  Today in Newton.

 Here's what you need to  know !

Every Saturday for the last 2 months Friends have been meeting at The Grove

Having Fun...

Talking with neighbours passing through

Relaxing a bit...

 Enjoying the sunshine 

Playing in the tents...

"Two Dudes Chillin' Park ?"

Words with Friends..... of the Grove

These are the people in your neighbourhood. Today, drop by and say hi. Bring something fun with you to share:  Anything! An instrument, a hula-hoop, a bubble machine. Share some books, maybe a story. Tell us something about you that we didn't know before. It's all a big experiment in connecting us as a community. There's going to be lots of music and  I guarantee a few surprises.

 Whatevs!  Just about anything goes. 

This is our place.  This is your place.  So let's have some fun. Details here 

I'd  love to meet you! Please come up to me today and introduce yourself.  Then we won't be strangers anymore. 
And make a point of meeting David Dalley who has worked so hard to turn the Grove into a warm and welcoming public space.
Jude Hannah
ReNewton Nation