The following submission appeared in “We Are Newton: A Neighbourhood Anthology.” See here for more information about the project.

By: Angel Gill

I moved to Newton about 11 years ago. I lived by Westerman Elementary for almost all my life up till last year.

When I was younger I would always play outside with all the neighbour kids in the summer. We’d have water fights, picnics or just play games. Everyone was close and not judgmental; no one cared how you dressed or acted.

We would go to Newton Athletic Park to play soccer or just run around. The McDonald’s on Scott Road was always a big hit with all the kids. We’d get an ice cream cone in the evenings to cool down.

Years have passed and Newton’s got a bad name. But when we were younger, none of us knew about crime. We just had fun in Newton.