Public Land & Trails

Lexington has over 1,400 acres of conservation land, including 26 conservation areas with trail access and over 50 miles of trails, many with boardwalks through wet areas. This conservation land creates a patchwork of forests, fields, and wetlands that provides important habitat for plants and wildlife, ecosystem services such as air and water filtration, and adds to the quality of life for Lexington residents.

On Lexington's conservation land, visitors have many opportunities for nature enjoyment and passive recreation, including jogging, picnicking, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, and bicycling.

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

• Trails on Lexington Conservation Land
• Apply to use a conservation area for an activity such as filming, camping, camp fires, classes, guided walks, etc., at no charge
• Donate to the Lexington Nature Trust
• Walking your Dog on Conservation Land (PDF)
• 2015 Open Space and Recreation Plan (PDF) (Hard copies available for viewing in the Conservation office, the Recreation office, and at Cary Memorial Library)
• Conservation Land Regulations
• Land Management Planning

Other Lexington-Based Trails

(Please note: these trails are not maintained by the Lexington Conservation Division)

• ACROSS Lexington (ACROSS Lexington brochure (PDF), also available at the Visitor's Center and Land Use, Housing, and Development Department)
• Arlington's Great Meadow (PDF) (Provided by the Friends of Arlington's Great Meadow)
• Middlesex County Hospital Lands (PDF)
• Beaver Brook North Reservation (PDF)

Land Management Planning

The Lexington Conservation Commission, Conservation Division staff, and volunteer Conservation Stewards are committed to managing Lexington's conservation land for:

• passive recreation and education programs
• protection of habitat for plants and animals;
• provision of ecosystem services such as flood protection, nutrient cycling, and purification of air and water;
• open space connectivity for both wildlife and trail users; and
• preservation of community character including scenic views and historic features.

Managing our conservation resources responsibly over time requires careful planning, on both the town-wide and individual property scale. In 2014, the Lexington Conservation Commission worked closely with the Massachusetts Audubon Ecological Extension to develop a comprehensive conservation management guide, Principles and Policies for Management of Lexington Conservation Land. The Commission formally approved this guide in February 2015.