Lexington Conservation Land Regulations

Section 145-1. Authority; penalty.

The Conservation Commission, by virtue of its authority (MGL c. 40, Section 8C) to make regulations for the use and government of all conservation lands of the Town of Lexington, has adopted the following rules and regulations.

A fine not exceeding $200 or the replacement cost of damage, whichever is greater, shall be imposed on any person or persons violating said regulations. [Amended 10-16-12]

Section 145-2. Rules and regulations for conservation lands.

Without permission of the Conservation Commission, it is forbidden to:

• Be in or on conservation land between the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise.
• Possess or consume alcoholic beverages 
• Commit any disorderly action, or disturb the peace, or conduct oneself in such manner as to interfere with the rightful enjoyment of the public upon these grounds.
• Hunt, trap or shoot.
• Remove, cut or damage any flowers, plants, shrubs, trees or rocks.
• Operate a motor vehicle (the term "motor vehicle" includes, without limiting the generality of the same, any car, truck, bus, motorcycle, motorbike or snowmobile) on conservation lands.
• Make a fire except in designated fireplaces with permission of the Fire Department.
• Discard litter except in designated receptacles or post, paint, affix or display any sign, notice, placard or advertising device.
• Dump materials of any kind.
• Build any structures.
• Dam any stream.
• Park a motor vehicle except in designated parking areas.
• Possess, be in control of, or be responsible for more than 2 dogs per person. [Amended 11-29-11]
• Possess, be in control of, or be responsible for any dog or dogs unless carrying a waste bag for each dog and properly disposing of each dog's waste. Waste may be disposed of by placing the bagged waste in a designated trash or waste receptacle in the conservation land or by removing the waste from the conservation land for disposal. [Added 11-29-11]
• Possess, be in control of, or be responsible for any dog or dogs unless carrying a leash for each dog. [Added 11-29-11]
• Possess, be in control of, or be responsible for any dog or dogs unless such dog(s) are under immediate restraint and control of a responsible person (hereafter "the 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. [Added 11-29-11]

Section 145-3. Rules and regulations governing specific conservation lands.

Without permission of the Conservation Commission, it is forbidden to engage in any of the following activities: [Added 11-29-11)

• On Saturdays and Sundays, to possess, be in control of, or be responsible for any dog or dogs in or on the conservation land know as "Willard's Woods," unless such dog(s) are controlled by leash. This subpart A shall become effective September 1, 2010 and shall remain in effect until March 1, 2014, unless extended by a vote of the Conservation Commission. [Added June 22, 2010; amended February 22, 2011, amended 11-29-11, amended January 15, 2013]
• Possess, be in control of, or be responsible for any dog or dogs in marked "On-Leash" zones at the entryways to the conservation land known as "Willard's Woods," unless such dog(s) are controlled by leash. [Added 11-29-11]
• Possess, be in control of, or be responsible for any dog or dogs in marked Universally Accessible "UA" Trails in the conservation land known as "Parker Meadow", unless such dog(s) are controlled by leash. [Added 12-5-22] 
• Actively bicycle on marked Universally Accessible "UA" Trails in the conservation land known as "Parker Meadow" when encountering another person(s). When another person(s) is encountered all bicyclists should yield. Yielding means:
  • To pull off the side of the trail to a complete stop to let the other person(s) pass, or
  • To dismount and walk your bike past the other person(s). [Added 12-5-22] 

[History: Adopted by the Conservation Commission of the Town of Lexington 6-10-1975, as amended 12-18-1979, 10-8-1985, 10-24-2006, 6-22-2010, and 2-18-2011. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]