A significant boost for youth sports in Newton was announced during the Finance Committee meeting on January 13, 2025, as the city prepares to accept a grant of up to $250,000 from the Newton Little League. This funding will be directed towards the purchase and installation of sports lighting at Murphy Field in Albemarle Park, along with other improvements to the facility.

Nicole Banks, the commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Culture, highlighted the importance of this project, especially as the Newton Little League and Newton Youth Softball face a temporary loss of access to several ball fields due to upcoming school construction and athletic field improvement projects. Over the next few years, fields at Franklin and Horace Mann will be offline, and Bur Elementary's softball field has already been taken out of service.

To mitigate the impact of these closures, the city is activating the Williams ball field for T-ball and softball use and converting one of the fields at Albemarle into a hybrid field suitable for both Little League and softball. The installation of lighting at Murphy Field will extend playtime on this premier baseball field, ensuring that local youth sports can continue to thrive despite the challenges ahead.

The committee expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with the Newton Little League, recognizing their vital role in supporting youth baseball programs in the community. The anticipated upgrades are expected to enhance the overall experience for young athletes and families in Newton.