Surrey's Focus Newton Action Plan: A year of transformation and community empowerment
One year after the launching of the Focus Newton Action Plan, the City of Surrey is continuing to deliver improvements in the Newton neighbourhood.
Surrey, B.C. – One year after the launching of the Focus Newton Action Plan, the City of Surrey is continuing to deliver improvements in the Newton neighbourhood. Community input was vital in identifying five key areas of the Action Plan including enhancing greenery and vibrancy, increasing cleanliness and safety of public spaces, fostering social connectedness, providing amenities, and improving active transportation.
“Reflecting on the past year fills me with immense pride at how our dedicated staff and the Newton community have united to drive positive change,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “Thank you to the Focus Newton Task Force that worked tirelessly to engage with the community. Newton had been a previously neglected neighbourhood and the Task Force’s new plan has rejuvenated the community in a meaningful way. However, our journey does not stop here. We will continue the work of enhancing Surrey’s largest town centre to create a place we can all take pride in.”
In the past year, the City has made significant improvements in family-friendly programming and community events, introducing new activities such as community picnics, movie nights, library programs, musical performances, and various public space initiatives. To address litter and garbage concerns raised by residents, service levels were significantly enhanced. This included expanding litter collection routes, deploying dedicated garbage removal teams to problem areas, and installing new garbage cans throughout streets and facilities.
Some of the notable projects have included:
- Landscaping Enhancements: Improvements to landscaping at Tamanawis Park, renewal of median horticulture at King George Blvd and 72 Avenue, and the establishment of new gardens at Newton Athletic Park..
- Public Safety Improvements: Increased presence of park ambassadors in Unwin Park, Newton Athletic Park, and Bear Creek Park to enhance safety.
- Cleaning and Litter Removal Efforts: An expansion of litter collection routes by 28 kilometers, weekly cleanups at 35 park sites, and two clean-up blitzes that removed over 3,050 illegally dumped items and 2,280 bags of litter. Graffiti was also eradicated at 296 locations, along with six natural area clean-ups at 25 park sites in Newton.
- Increased Family-Friendly Activities: An expanded Sounds of Summer Concert Series, six new community picnics, outdoor movie nights at three parks, and evening community programming at the Newton Recreation Centre.
- Support for International Students: Engagement activities, focus groups with stakeholders and students, student job fairs, and English conversation circles at libraries to help international students feel safe and engaged in the community.
- Placemaking and Gathering Spaces: Introduction of a new pop-up temporary plaza next to the Newton bus loop, picnic shelters at West Newton Community Park, Nichol Estates Park, and Strawberry Hill Park, along with new benches at Panorama Village Park and Parkwood Village Park.
- Enhancements to Walking and Cycling Routes: Installation of new curb letdowns and crosswalks and expansion of walking trails in Joe Brown, Nichol Estates, and Bear Creek Parks.
- Short-term Transportation Investments: A series of road investments on 80 Avenue and 132 Street corridors as well as traffic calming, installation of new curb letdowns and crosswalks, and expansion of walking trails in Joe Brown, Nichol Estates, and Bear Creek Parks.
For a list of projects, click here. Residents can stay updated on the progress of the Focus Newton initiatives through an interactive online map at surrey.ca/focusnewton.