Public Meeting

Twenty-five (25) community members participated in a virtual public meeting (Zoom) held on July 12, 2022. The meeting’s format included a presentation by the planning team, live polling with instantaneous feedback, Q&A discussion (both submittal and real-time), and a discussion of next steps.

Live Polling

Meeting participants were asked to provide feedback through live polling. Three polls, including multiple choice responses and short answers, were utilized. The following sections present the information received during the polling exercise.

System Use

Participants were asked to indicate how often they used any Lexington open space, conservation land, active and passive recreation areas, or natural areas. Most participants indicated a high level of use with the majority selecting either weekly or daily use; a couple individuals reported infrequent use (a few times each year).

Recreation Activities

Participants were then asked to indicate the type of recreation activities they participate in most often. The Zoom webinar feature limits potential answer choices to 10 responses; therefore, “other” was the last option provided. “Other” responses included cross country skiing and seeing friends. Walking and hiking along with fitness and wellness, and sports were the top choices.

SWOT Analysis

Participants were asked to answer questions as part of a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis exercise. Key strengths provided include the amount of open space and conservation land along with their distribution. Weaknesses included a need for more accessibility, connectivity, and maintenance (among others). Opportunities provided were diverse and bring forth the ideas of land resiliency, use of agricultural land, trail system expansion, accessibility, and much more. Acknowledged threats to Lexington’s open space over the next seven years include development, overuse, and invasive species.

Figure 1 | Frequency of Use

Figure 2 | Recreation Activities participated in Most Often

In your mind, what is the greatest attribute about Lexington’s open space, conservation land, active and passive recreation areas, and natural spaces? (STRENGTHS)

Allotment around town and connection through Across Lexington. They are appreciated, lots of them, diverse habitats. The idea that we can use this wonderful resource for both active/passive activities that many other places do not have. Easy and diverse access to natural lands across town. The many trails, including across Lex, MM bike, and MM park. Availability.

They touch every section of Town, and some sections connect to other trails.

They are available to so many different groups, all ages, dog walkers, bikers, hikers and we get to interact in community.

That we have it! What a great resource to have so much open space. I feel so grateful to live here and have access to all of these spaces, The forest access is critical. There are a lot of conservation areas distributed across town, and many good trails.

That the Town has been proactive about purchasing/acquiring open space for Conservation purposes.

Accessibility and connectivity - a variety of conservation lands are available across different parts of town, connected by bike path and ACROSS Lexington. Nice quantity of options.

Easily accessible.

Accessibility, beauty and nature paths.

There seems to be ample spaces scattered all around the town.

That there is a lot of it! We are so lucky to have so much for a town this close to Boston.

Is there anything you wish could be better about Lexington’s open space, conservation land, active and passive recreation areas, and natural areas? If so, what? (WEAKNESSES)

Clarify role of agriculture in context of open space. Take care of managing invasive plants and plant more native plants for increasing ecosystem diversity. More open space. More defined trails to allow for groups to co-exist - bikers and dog walkers, for example. Dedicated pickleball open play times, or even dedicated courts. Dedicated Pickleball courts - as in all surrounding towns.

Better connectivity between areas should be developed.

Better ADA/stroller accessible trails, Larger spaces of woodland/trails, better connections between open spaces, poison ivy control along paths, better signage in Lower Vine Brook, and more “wild” land. More public investment in trail maintenance and conservation area management.

Better maintain natural state of conservation areas (e.g., more resources to remove invasive species).

It would be great to have funding/staff to have active Land Management Plans for every Conservation parcel.

Open space and conservation land should in 2022 be considered a climate mitigation asset. How can the town manage its land better in terms of urban forest management re: invasives, thinning, and planting. Better maintenance and upkeep of existing properties.

Dogs running wild - interferes with recreation.

More opportunity for pickleball.

Town seems to lack any open Pickleball courts. Other towns have permanent courts available at any time with apps that let you know who is playing. Tennis reservations should not be the PB model. Additional staff to enforce encroachments and misuse of conservation areas would be helpful. Development of unauthorized offroad bike trails has been a big problem.

What transformational ideas do you have to improve Lexington’s recreation and open space opportunities over the next seven years? (OPPORTUNITIES)

Support Lexington’s contributions to local food and sustainability through support of agricultural land. Build an educational center on Lexington’s only community farm. Use agricultural land for growing native plants for restoration. For each economic development project that the Town approves, there should be an open space give back to Town and community. Building a bike park in Lexington! More water access without permitting - human powered crafts on the Old Res, for example. Dedicated pickleball open play times, or even dedicated courts. Create space on existing roads to allow/encourage walking and biking aside from off roads.

Bigger, more connected forest land. Green corridors across Lexington. More ADA/stroller accessible trails.

Manage conservation areas as in integral part of the natural resources and environment of the town, particularly in the face of climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Continued growth of the ACROSS Lexington recreational trails system.

Use open spaces as an educational opportunity about what residents can do to support native plants, pollinators, and value of trees. Opportunity for disabled community.

Pine Meadows club house needs some money spent on it and a minimum level of food should be available. The town is missing an income opportunity. Adding additional conservation stewards would be helpful as these volunteers keep trails clear and note problems for others to address. Many are older so we need more new people to get engaged. One opportunity that could be transformational for the town is additional land use opportunities like grooming Pine Meadows for XC skiing in the winter, like I’ve ween in Weston and Williamstown. More community garden space.

What are the greatest threats to Lexington’s open space, conservation land, active and passive recreation areas, and natural areas over the next seven years? (THREATS)

Development. High cost of land and the temptation to privatize open land. Development on the borders and invasive plants that curb diversity. Traffic. Too much commercial development space without reserving enough for conservation activities. Climate change. Development. Development - let’s develop densely so that we can make Lexington accessible while preserving open spaces.

Lack of investment in thoughtful management, particularly with the impact of climate change and isolation by development. Climate change, house construction/development overuse, lack of staff to oversee maintenance/care, and invasive plants. Invasives and lack of management.

Overuse/abuse of some natural areas.

Dogs off leash.

Invasive species of plants. plant diseases, and overuse are threats for conservation areas.

OSRP Goals

The 2015 ORSP included nine overarching goals. Participants were asked to rank the nine goals on a scale of 1 to 5 with one being least important/relevant and 5 being most important/relevant. Then, participants were asked to indicate if there are any goals no longer relevant to today and/or if anything is missing from the goal statements. Participants indicated protecting Lexington’s natural environment and water resources are the top two goals for the next seven years. The least important goals (although still considered important), included maintaining and expanding Lexington’s open space and recreational infrastructure along with promoting public use of recreational facilities and open space among a wide variety of user types.

Goal

Protect Lexington’s natural environment, both within and beyond the borders of open space and recreational properties. Protect and maintain Lexington’s water resources. Establish and implement a land management program that will assure optimal maintenance and use of conservation lands. Provide a balance of recreational activities for all of Lexington’s citizens. Enhance connectivity between open space and recreation areas. Expand upon and create new opportunities for bicycling and walking throughout Lexington.

Acquire and protect parcels that are important from an environmental, recreational, or historical perspective. Promote public use of recreational facilities and open space among a wide variety of user types.

Maintain and expand Lexington’s open space and recreational infrastructure.

Average Importance

4.2

4.2

3.9

3.9 3.7

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.3

Additional Comments Received: • Lexington’s population is aging. Recreational use should prioritize this goal. • Establish an enforcement group to enforce the town rules on all the properties to protect them. • Going forward, more emphasis on maintenance of existing spaces and less emphasis on acquiring additional space. • It would be good to explicitly call out a need for All Persons Trails, such as is being built at Parker Meadow. • No longer needed? There are already a lot of walking and biking opportunities. Missing: Manage open space and conservation land with a focus on carbon sequestration and climate mitigation.