About Us

The Cooper Center represents a groundbreaking model for the Commonwealth — both in the quality of its design and the breadth of its offerings. This state-of-the-art, 33,000-square-foot facility spans three floors and was intentionally designed to serve as a hub of connection, activity, and wellness for Newton’s older residents—the fifth largest older adult population in Massachusetts as well as a welcoming place at night and on the weekends for residents of all ages.

With a seven-day-a-week schedule—including early morning and evening hours—the Cooper Center sets a new benchmark for how cities and towns can support active, engaged aging while inviting the entire community into an age-friendly facility.

The City of Newton is proud to be a statewide leader in services for older adults, providing vital programs and support to more than 22,000 residents aged 60 and above.

The Cooper Center features:

A gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, pickleball and more

A large multipurpose room with a full commercial kitchen to host a municipally run café and to serve as a place for music, lectures, and activities of all kinds.

Lounge and reading spaces on every floor to encourage socialization and lifelong learning

A fully equipped art studio with ceramic kilns

A suspended walking track overlooking the city and framed by beautiful wooden beams

A fitness room, a 1,000-square-foot game and billiards room, and a welcoming outdoor deck for fitness classes and gatherings

Conference rooms and offices to provide services and to offer programs

How NewCAL became the Cooper Center for Active Living

Audrey Cooper (1924-2021)

In her State of the City address in February 2024, Mayor Fuller announced that the new center would be named the Cooper Center for Active Living, in honor of Audrey Cooper, a “woman who embodied all that is good about our City and serves as a role model and inspiration.”

Audrey Cooper embodied all that is good about Newton. With steadfast support from her husband Dave, she serves as a role model for caring about all our neighbors across all 13 villages – especially our youngsters and our elders, our body politic, our centers for community building and learning, and the vulnerable among us.

At the request of Mayor Theodore Mann, Audrey co-chaired the campaign to transform the former Newtonville Branch Library at this location into Newton's first centralized Senior Center. Audrey went on to serve as President of the Council on Aging and of the Senior Citizens Fund of Newton, further strengthening programs and resources for Newton's older adults. In the final years of her remarkable life, she helped bring to life the very building we stand in today.

For 27 years, Audrey also served as Secretary at the Underwood Elementary School, a beloved and respected figure among students, families, and staff.

Audrey gave her time and talents to countless additional Newton Boards and Committees:

• The Newton Free Library Board of Trustees

• The Newton Community Service Center (NCSC) Board of Directors & Youth Commission (a.k.a., Family Access)

• The City's Planning and Development Board

• The Newton Fair Housing Committee

Audrey Cooper's enduring legacy is one of compassion, collaboration, positivity, civic service and volunteerism.

Hours

Cooper Center for Active Living
Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m

Older Adult Services Department at the Cooper Center
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location

345 Walnut Street, Newtonville, MA 02460

Parking Information

• There is a parking lot behind the Cooper Center. The lot has 31 spaces including handicap and electric charging stations. The lot is one-way and is accessed by Walnut Place and exits onto Highland Avenue.

• The Austin Street parking lot has 119 spaces available for public parking. There are a combination of 3-hour and 10-hour spaces which is marked on the sign in front of the parking space. Residents who have the Older Adult Parking Sticker may use the 3-hour spaces with their sticker. 10-hour spaces must be paid for by using the parking passport app or the kiosk located in the parking lot. The lot can be accessed from Austin Street opposite the doors to Star Market or from Bram Way off Highland Avenue.

• There is additional parking on Walnut Street and side streets in the neighborhood.

• There is parking on Highland Avenue residents with the Older Adult Parking Sticker. Information on how to get a parking sticker can be found here. (link to https://www.newtonma.gov/government/seniors/general-services/senior-parking-sticker)

• There is additional parking on Walnut Street and side streets in the neighborhood.

There is a parking lot directly behind the Cooper Center with 31 spaces. The entrance to the parking lot is located on Walnut Place and it is one way exiting onto Highland Avenue. There are 4 handicap spaces in the lot and 4 electric charging spaces.

There are 45 parking spaces on Highland Avenue where people who have the OA Parking Permit may park at no additional charge between 8:00am-6:00pm.

The closest municipal lot to the Cooper Center is the Austin Street Lot, which has more than 100 spaces. The lot can be accessed from Highland Avenue via Bram Way or directly from Austin Street (opposite the front entrance doors to Star Market). There are both 3-hour and 10-hour spaces available.

• Holders of a City of Newton Older Adult Parking Pass may park in the 3-hour spaces at no additional cost.

• If you do not have an OA Parking Permit or are parking in a 10-hour spot in the Austin Street lot, you may pay for parking via the Passport Parking app or at the kiosk in the Austin Street lot with a credit card.

Transportation

GoGo Newton

Transportation to the Cooper Center is $2 each way from a Newton address for those who qualify for GoGo Newton. For more information on GoGo Newton, visit https://www.newtonma.gov/government/planning/gogo or contact us via email oasresourcenavigators@newtonma.gov or call 617-796-1660 for an appointment.

Drop off

If you are being dropped off at the Cooper Center, there is an area on Highland Avenue near Walnut Street to be picked up or dropped off.

Walking or biking

If you are walking to the Cooper Center, you can enter through either the front entrance at the corner of Walnut Street and Highland Avenue or through the back entrance in the parking lot in the rear of the building. There are bike racks available.

Cooper Café

The Cooper Café will be opening soon, check back for more details!

Volunteer

There are many ways to volunteer at the Cooper Center. For more information visit https://www.newtonma.gov/government/seniors/how-can-i-help/volunteer or contact oasvolunteers@newtonma.gov.