Roads, parks, and rail trails aren’t the most exciting topics in the world — unless you happen to live near one. Nothing like a new project to bring out the NIMBY (or YIMBY) in all of us.
Newton and Needham officials have given a rousing “YES IN MY BACK YARD!’’ to a long-awaited plan to reconstruct Needham Street and Highland Avenue, a commercial corridor that is infamous for its less-than-picturesque utility poles and merciless traffic.
But will the $22 million project — awaiting final state approval — actually ease congestion? Some neighbors voiced their doubts at a recent public meeting, pointing to further development planned in the area.
On Monday, Newton residents are invited to a meeting of a city panel that’s working on a vision plan for the Needham Street area. The Community Engagement Group will meet at the Barry Price Center, 27 Christina St., from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Now for the parks. The Braintree Planning Board is expected to vote Thursday whether to approve a $19 million private sports complex on 6 acres of public land next to the high school football stadium.
The proposed Petersen Pool and Rink would have two regulation-sized ice rinks and an indoor pool, along with a small arcade, restaurant, pro shop, and physical therapy facility. First dibs would go to Braintree youth and high school sports, at lower rates.
There’s also a meetingWednesday at 6:30 p.m. for Arlington residents who want to learn about the revitalization of Wellington Park and the section of Mill Brook between Brattle and Grove streets. It will be held by the town and the Mystic River Watershed Association at the Arlington Senior Center, 27 Maple St.
And finally, rail trails. The first of three informational meetings is slated Wednesday on the Dedham Heritage Rail Trail, a proposed 1.5-mile trail that would connect Dedham Square to the Readville commuter rail station. Advocates are holding the 7:30 p.m. session at the Endicott Estate, 656 East St. Town Meeting votes in May whether to begin design and engineering for the project.
And here’s a bonus event: The Boyden Public Library in Foxborough will hold an “Idea Pit’’ on Wednesday to provide a forum for people with conflicting political ideologies to critically examine their beliefs. Novel concept? Watch it in action at 6:30 p.m. at 10 Bird St.
Leslie Anderson can be reached at leslie.anderson@globe.com.
