Friends of the Grove Still on a Roll!

Friends of The Grove Keep on Spreading Happiness around Downtown Newton!

In Downtown Newton, David Dalley and the Friends of the Grove  

are turning their sights on 137th St this week for  PARK (ing ) Day.

Join the gang on Friday at noon for a celebration of community!

Join friends and neighbours in temporarily transforming a parking spot in Newton on Friday, September 19, at 12:00 noon outside of Espresso Café, #1112-7330 137 Street.

The event is part of the global “Park(ing) Day” initiative:

“The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat… at least until the meter runs out!

Participants are invited to bring items to decorate the parking spot. Items may include chairs, carpets, plants and other home furnishings. Participants are also invited to bring games and activities that will encourage interactions and foster friendships. The parking meter will be feed for the duration of the event, so participants are also asked to bring change to keep the meter running!

Participants are encouraged to patronize local businesses when purchasing food and refreshments during the event.

This community-driven event is not officially sanctioned or endorsed by the City or any of the businesses in the Newton Town Centre area.  This event is a positive, community building gathering, not a protest or act of civil disobedience. Inappropriate, disrespectful or unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated. 

Park(ing) Day takes place on the third Friday in September each year. For more information on Park(ing) Day visit: http://parkingday.org/.

This will make you happy!

 Quick post to share this very happy video featuring  some  wonderful people and a few of our downtown Newton businesses along 137th St  "Festival Street" and surrounding area. 
Watch it. 
Get Happy. 
Repeat.
This time get up and dance. You'll feel better!

Enjoy!

What's in a Name? Meet Me in Midtown.

 Over the past few weeks some of us have been brainstorming around creative ways to revitalize our downtown Newton  centre. As one person so eloquently put it, 'the neighbourhood has some scars, but we're resilient and the will to see positive things happen here has never been greater". So, it got us thinking about the name Newton.  Has the time come to rebrand the Newton Town Centre , (whose boundaries are now set with the newly formed  Newton BIA ) in much the  same way  Downtown Whalley has been renamed City Centre? We think there's a very strong case to do so. Like Whalley,to some people the name Newton doesn't conjure feelings of excitement and respect and it's not doing our  business community any favours.  

Since Newton is the geographic centre i.e. middle of the city of Surrey why not call it that?

Midtown. 

Anyone who has spent time in Manhattan has no doubt wandered the busy Midtown area. It's vibrant but retains its grittiness, keeping it real and authentic. 

 I've maintained that Newton can take that same feel and make its edginess  work to  advantage.

So let's talk about 137th St, also known as Festival Street in the City of Surrey's plans for the town centre. 

Newton Town Centre Plans for Festival Street  (137th St.) during an event.
City of Surrey
 Everyone's asking....When will the plans be implemented?

The  commercial space above is perfect for an artsy edgy gallery/live space

Business owners and the community  all agree- the Pay Parking HAS to go!
*Update Oct. , thanks to  efforts of Cllr. Judy Villeneuve, we now have 2 hr. free parking :)

Festival Street-  Plans for Everyday Use, but when will the city get moving and make this happen? 

There are many office and retail spaces currently for lease in the vicinity.
Let's fill them with creativity and connection.

How awesome would it be to create a  unique to Surrey  funky art, music &  cafe scene here?    You know what I'm talking about.  Old or at least old-looking brick walls, great coffee, and a place to meet up with friends. 

Your ' third place" 

What about a global crafts marketplace in these vacant spaces?   Think: studios, coffee houses, music venues. Somewhere our young Surrey musicians and creative types can get together and showcase their talents?

  

 And let's not forget   about  FOOD!

  

As Retrofitting Suburbia author Ellen Dunham-Jones says

"Never Underestimate the Power of Food to Turn a Place around and make it a destination"

  Here's what one city is doing   Midtown Global Market

 So, think about the many possibilities for the  Newton Town Centre.
We have so much untapped potential in this area. Let's take the vision and make it happen. We have many strengths  and a growing  number of  citizens taking charge of their own community. 
Are you going to be one of them?

   Still reading?
 Leave your comments or if you prefer, send me a message.
 hey-jude@telus.net

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