Guided Walks

Every spring and fall CLC offers several guided walks on various conservation lands in Lexington. All walks are free -- you don't have to be a member to join the fun!

The Town of Lexington Conservation Division provides online maps of all conservation areas.

2011 CLC Fall Walks

Dunback Meadow Butterfly Walk
Sunday, September 18, 2–3 PM
We will walk in the community garden and on the main paths in the wet meadow. Expected species include, Monarch, Pearl Crescent, Eastern Comma, Red Admiral, skipper species, with a possibility of unusual fall migrants. Opening remarks will describe places to go locally for rare species and coastal locations for observing the fall Monarch migration. Rain date Sunday, September 25, at the same time.
Location: Meet at the Allen St. entrance to Dunback Meadow (park on Allen St; additional parking at the Clarke entrance, if needed).
Leader: Tom Whelan (781-863-1880) or tom@whelanphoto.com

Pond Exploration at Parker Meadow
Thursday, September 22, 2:30–3:30 PM
Geared for children in grades K – 5 accompanied by an adult. Join Emily Schadler for a prowl around Parker Meadow to look for signs of beavers, bugs, frogs, and toads. We’ll dip a net into the water to see what kinds of critters are wriggling around below the surface. Bring rain boots if you have them, and be prepared to get dirty. If you have a small bug box or magnifier, bring it along. Rain will cancel the event.
Location: Meet at the Revere St. entrance to Parker Meadow. Limited parking is there; additional parking is available on neighborhood streets across Revere St.
Leader: Emily Schadler, Conservation Assistant. (781-862-0500 x 240) or eschadler@lexingtonma.gov

Six-Legged Safari at Willard’s Woods
Sunday, September 25, 1:30–3 PM
Family friendly walks for kids in grades K - 5 accompanied by an adult. Look and listen for insects and other creepy crawlers in field and forest. We will do some sketching of what we find. Equipment will be provided. This is an easy walk. If there is steady rain or lightning, the walk will be cancelled.
Location: Meet at Brent St. entrance to Willard's Woods.
Leader: Fran Ludwig (781-861-7231) or fludwig12@yahoo.com.

Bird Walk in Dunback Meadow
Saturday, October 1, 8–10 AM
In early October the last of the migrating birds will still be coming through Dunback Meadow. Although the ground is slightly rough, the pace is slow so the walk is accessible to most. Children and beginners are welcome. We will enjoy a varied habitat, including mixed woods, open fields, and a stream. Bring binoculars if you have them. Heavy rain or lightning will cancel the walk.
Location: Meet at the Allen St. entrance to Dunback Meadow.
Leader: Bobbie Hodson (781-861-9421) or robertahodson@comcast.net

Lexington’s Autumn Leaves
Thursday, October 13, 2:30–4 PM
Geared for children in grades 2 – 5 accompanied by an adult. Join Karen Longeteig for a walk around the Buckman Tavern 'arboretum' to gather and identify autumn leaves. Bring an old catalog or thick magazine to press your best leaves and a pen or pencil to write their names. Wear boots or be prepared to have muddy shoes. Rain date is October 20.
Location: Meet at the Visitors Center on the Buckman Tavern grounds. Street and municipal lot parking are available.
Leader: Karen Longeteig, Lexington Tree Committee member (781-862-4094) or karen.longeteig@gmail.com

Western Greenway Walk
Saturday, October 22, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
We will walk on new and established Western Greenway trail segments on the properties south of Trapelo Rd. We’ll go on new trails in Lot 1 and 3, through Shady’s Pond Conservation Area over boardwalks and bridges built by volunteers, and then back to Falzone Field. The walk is not overly strenuous. Wear sturdy shoes. We will walk in steady rain—only lightning will cancel the walk.
Location: Meet and park at Falzone Field, 901 Trapelo Rd., Waltham, (across from Our Lady’s Church/Academy).
Leaders: David Kehs drkehs@erols.com; George Darcy gadiii@yahoo.com

Ducks and Sparrow at Arlington Reservoir and Busa Farm
Sunday, October 23, 8–10 AM
We will look for migrant ducks in the reservoir and migrant sparrows at the back edge of Busa Farm. Many unusual birds were seen in mid-October at the farm last year, including Orange-Crowned Warbler, Tennessee Warbler and Blue Grosbeak. Depending on the weather, some muddy conditions might be encountered. We’ll likely walk around Arlington Reservoir. Total walking about 1 mile. Walk will be cancelled if more than light rain.
Location: Meet at Rindge Avenue Playground and park along Rindge Ave.
Leader: Chris Floyd (781-862-2841) or chrisf@mitre.org

Stone Walls of Whipple Hill
Sunday, October 30, 2–4 PM
Whipple Hill contains some of the most extensive and beautifully preserved stone walls in all of Lexington. Late fall after most of the leaves have fallen is a wonderful time to appreciate these treasures and the overall lay of the landscape. Sturdy shoes are recommended for this strenuous walk. Heavy rain will cancel the walk.
Location: Meet at the Winchester Drive parking lot.
Leader: Keith Ohmart (781-862-6216) or kohmart@verizon.net

Cotton Farm – Upper Vine Brook, Dunback Meadow
Saturday, November 5, 11 AM – 12:30 PM
We will walk in the newly acquired Cotton Farm Conservation Land with its apple orchard, open fields and lovely pond. We will then walk the Upper Vine Brook trail, which connects to Highland Ave. If time permits, we can then explore Dunback Meadow conservation area on the other side of Marrett Rd. Rain date: Sunday, Nov. 6, at the same time.
Location: Meet in the parking area in the Cotton Farm Conservation Land (entrance on Marrett Rd.). Additional parking is available on Marrett Rd.
Leader: Gerry Paul (781-861-6279) or gerryp@bu.edu; Bonnie Newman (781-861-8191) or bjnewman@rcn.com