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Conservation Land
Conservation Areas
Lexington has over 1,300 acres of conservation land, including 26 conservation areas with trail access. This conservation land creates a patchwork of forests, fields, and wetlands that provides habitat for plants and wildlife and adds to the quality of life for Lexington residents.
On Lexington's conservation land, visitors find the opportunity to walk, jog, picnic, birdwatch, cross-country ski, bicycle, and garden. Over 50 miles of trails cross our conservation land, many with boardwalks over wet areas.
Volunteers of the Lexington Conservation Stewards help to care for Lexington's conservation land and keep the trails open for everyone to enjoy.
More information about Lexington's Conservation areas can be found below:
Conservation Areas Maps >>
Walking your Dog on Conservation Land >>
Community Gardens>>
Open Space and Recreation Plan >>
Conservation Trust Funds >>
Conservation Land Regulations >>
Conservation Area Maps
Trail maps for Lexington's conservation areas with trail access are available in PDF form below. Updates to these maps will be posted periodically and noted.
Overview map showing Lexington's conservation areas that are accessible by trails>>
Please respect these regulations while enjoying your time on our conservation land.
Want to learn more about caring for our conservation land? Read more about our volunteer land stewardship group, the Lexington Conservation Stewards>>
Walking your Dog on Conservation Land
The Conservation Commission has recently passed new regulations regarding the walking of dogs on conservation land. These regulations are in place to ensure that all visitors have a safe and comfortable visit to Lexington's conservation areas. For more information, read the press release>>
On all conservation areas:
- Dogs must be under the immediate restraint and control of a guardian, either by leash, or by sight and voice command. Sight and voice command means that dog(s):
- are within the guardian’s sight at all times;
- come to the guardian immediately when called;
- stay at the guardian’s command;
- do not charge or chase any person, dog or wildlife, nor engage in any aggressive behavior;
- do not cause damage to any conservation land, or any land used to gain access to conservation land.
- No more than 2 dogs per person are permitted
- Guardians must carry a waste bag for each dog in their care and pick up and properly dispose of their dogs' waste
- Guardians must carry a leash for each dog in their care
At Willard's Woods: Dogs must be on leash on Saturdays and Sundays at all times
Dogs may be walked off leash on weekdays, but they must remain under the immediate restraint and control of their walker, either by leash, or voice and sight command
Dogs must always be leashed in the On-Leash Zones at the major entryways
Signage for the On-Leash Zones and new regulations will be posted at Willard's Woods in mid-December.
Violations to the regulations are punishable by fines and can be reported to the Police Department at 781-862-1212.
Older Documents:
Land Use Subcommittee Report - February 2011
Willard's Woods Regulation Change Decision - June 2010
Community Gardens - Updated May 2, 2012
Lexington has two community gardens on conservation land:
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Idylwilde Community Garden, located at Idylwilde conservation area (between Middle and Lincoln Streets) |
| Dunback Meadow Community Garden, located at Dunback Meadow conservation area (near the Allen Street entrance) |
Map of Lexington's community garden locations>>
Both community gardens are available for growing organic vegetables, fruits, berries, and flowers. In 2011, the Idylwilde community gardens were relocated and refurbished to include perimeter fencing, water, and tilling. In 2012, the Dunback Meadow community gardens will begin receiving water service.
Community Garden Registration Information
Registration is now closed for the 2012 community gardens. Thanks to all who signed up!
Registration for the 2013 gardening season will open in late March or April 2013. If you would like to be notified when registration opens for new gardeners, email the Conservation Division to have your name added to the email list. Please include your name, address, email address, and telephone number.
Garden Policies
Please note that the Conservation Division has drafted a garden policy to govern the use of the gardens. A public meeting to discuss the guidelines was held on April 3.
A second public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 7:30 pm in Room G-15 of the Town Offices building (please note that there is 1 hearing prior to the garden policy hearing, so the discussion may not begin until 7:45 or later). Gardeners are encouraged to submit comments in writing to the Conservation Division prior to May 8 or to attend the meeting to share their feedback.
Revised Garden Policy>>
Written comments may be submitted before May 8, 2012 to:
Lexington Conservation Division
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA 02420
landstewards@lexingtonma.gov
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Lexington's 2009 Open Space and Recreation Plan is now complete. A PDF of the document is available on the Recreation webpage>>
Hard copies of the document are available for viewing in the Conservation office, the Recreation office, and at Cary Memorial Library.
Conservation Trust Funds
Trust funds have been established to help with the care and maintenance of Lexington's conservation areas. Donations to these funds are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated at any time of the year.
Donations can be made to:
Lexington Nature Trust
c/o Conservation Division
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA 02420
Look for signs like these at the major entrances to our conservation areas.
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