Living in Lexington

The Town of Lexington is a community that prides itself on the beauty of town land, the safety of its residents and the excellence of its public school system. The town has numerous parks, conservation lands, museums and libraries that provide exceptional opportunities for recreational and cultural activities. The town's physical location, residents feel, is ideal, allowing easy access to Boston, the Atlantic ocean, the White Mountains and many important historical sites in the state.

Lexington's citizens are especially active in town affairs. The representative town meeting is comprised of 199 members and over 50 standing committees ensure that the desires of the community are heard and addressed. Particular attention is given to preserving the town's strong historical importance as the birthplace of the American Revolution. The annual Patriot's Day celebration in April, complete with a re-enactment of Paul Revere's ride and the battle with the British, is one of the town's most popular events.

To learn more about the remarkable quality of life in Lexington, link to any of the following sites;

	Citizens' Guide
	Community Links
	Lexington Public Schools

Events and Calendars

	Community Calendar
	Public Meetings calendar
	Town OnLine
	The Lexington Chamber of Commerce’s Calendar of Lexington Events

General Information

	Your Town, a service of Boston.com can help you find important information about all 351 towns in Massachusetts, including statistics on local population, taxes, and schools. Here is the link to information about Lexington.
	The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Citizen Information Service

Demographics

For the most recent 2000 US Census data, click here for the American Fact finder.

Geography

Lexington is in Eastern Massachusetts, and is bordered by Lincoln on the southwest; Bedford on the northwest; Burlington on the northeast; Woburn, Winchester, and Arlington on the east; and Belmont and Waltham on the south. Lexington is 11 miles northwest of Boston, 18 miles south of Lowell, and 220 miles from New York City. Total Area: 16.64 Sq. Miles

Lifestyles

Parks & Recreation

Town Parks & Playgrounds: Lexington Battle Green, Emery Park, Tower Park, Belfry Hill, Hastings Park, the Center Playground, and at the public schools. In addition, there are 14 town-owned neighborhood playgrounds, as well as numerous privately owned neighborhood swimming pools and tennis courts.

The Lexington Recreation Department offers a wide range of classes and instruction including karate, language clubs, skiing, swimming and tennis lessons, sports clinics, camps, as well as a wide variety of leisure and recreational opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities. Programs include: summer camp, preschool camp, sports clinics, tennis, aquatics, skiing, adult programs, youth programs, preschool programs, senior programs, youth leagues, adult leagues, drop-in gym and Special Olympics.

Town of Lexington Recreation facilities include: Playgrounds, Tennis and Basketball Courts, Playing Fields, the Pool Complex, the Old Reservoir, Pine Meadows Golf Club, the Jack Eddison Memorial Bikeway, and the Teresa & Roberta Lee Fitness-Nature Path and other Hiking/Nature Trails.

The Lexington Club, 475 Bedford St, (781) 861-8600. Swimming, Tennis, exercise facilities, aerobics, and fitness programs.

In 1992, the Minuteman Bikeway was named America's 500th Rail Trail by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Nearly 11 miles long, the bikeway begins near the Alewife Transit MBTA Station in Cambridge, passes through Arlington, Lexington and ends one mile into Bedford.

Hayden Recreation Centre/John P. Chase Ice-Skating Facility, 24 Lincoln St, 862-8480. Hayden is a privately endowed non-profit corporation. The Centre provides a wide range of recreational, athletic, and social activities for the youth of Lexington. In addition, a special adult program is offered to Lexington residents over the age of 21 and to adults employed within the town. The Centre has two facilities located at the corner of Lincoln Street and Worthen Road. The Hayden Recreation Centre houses a swimming pool, gymnasium, weight training room, auditorium, ten activity rooms, and a large athletic field for the various programs offered throughout the year. The John P. Chase Ice-Skating Facility has a modern indoor full-size ice surface with a full complement of programs including all levels of instruction plus general skating sessions.

Formed in 1979, the Haydenettes have long been recognized as the premier Precision Skating Team in the United States. Based in Lexington, Massachusetts, the team is made up of 25 athletes ranging in age from 15 to 25. The team has earned nine national gold medals, and numerous international medals, including a gold medal at the French Cup in Rouen, France in February 1997.

Golf Courses

	Pine Meadows Golf Course (a municipal course), 255 Cedar St., (781) 862-5516; 9 hole/35 par
	Lexington Golf Club, (a private course) Hill St, (781) 862-9614
	Stone Meadows Driving Range (privately owned course open to the Public), 675 Waltham St, (781) 863-0445

Conservation Land and Open Space

It is safe to assume that Lexington’s early settlers could not have envisioned the busy suburban community that is Lexington today. In fact, 50 years ago the Town was still primarily rural with much of the land devoted to farming and supporting industries needed by the farmers to raise food and fiber for the Boston market. This form of land use changed dramatically during the decades following the end of World War II. The demand for housing consumed much of the Town’s farmlands, green space, and wetlands. Because Lexington continues to be a very desirable place to live, the development boom of the 80’s and 90’s saw more valuable open space disappear at an accelerating rate. That trend is continuing today.

In 1963, Lexington citizens recognized the importance of the natural resources of the Town and created a Conservation Commission whose members are charged with the protection of the Town’s natural resources. One of the most important natural resources is open space and the best tool for protecting open space is through land acquisition for conservation purposes. Approximately 1,300 acres, or 12 percent of Lexington’s 10,650 acres, is protected as conservation land. Although some of this land was donated, most of the land under the jurisdiction and protection of the Commission was purchased outright or through bonding with the support of the Town Meeting. In addition, conservation easements, agricultural easements and other land use mechanisms are being employed by the Conservation Commission to protect and enhance the Town’s natural resources for its current citizens as well as for future generations.

The Arts/Cultural Activities/Library

	Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington and Concord and the events around April 19, 1775 and Patriots Day events on the Monday nearest April 19.
	Munroe Center for the Arts, 1403 Massachusetts Ave., (781) 862-6040. The Munroe Center for the Arts is Dedicated to providing community arts education and supporting a wide diversity of arts activities. The Munroe Center for the Arts is managed by the Lexington Friends of the Arts, Inc., a non-profit (c)(3) 501 organization.

Lexington Chamber of Commerce Arts and Crafts Festival, September. Booths of New England artisans on the lawn of the Lexington Visitors Center opposite the Minuteman Statue with original handcrafted items.

Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, 130 Waltham Street, (781) 862-9696. The LACS has been in existence in Lexington center since 1935. The LACS has Guilds that specialize in Ceramics, Decorative Arts, Metalworkers, Miniature Arts, Needleworkers, Painters, Weavers, and Woodworkers. Each Guild operates independently of the Society, but within the Society.

Lexington Flick, 1794 Massachusetts Avenue, (781) 861-6161. Located in Lexington center. One of the last remaining small town movie theaters in the area.

Libraries: Two excellent facilities, including Cary Memorial Library (www.carylibrary.org), the third busiest single library in Massachusetts, with over 180,000 catalogue entries, and the East Branch Library. America’s first public library to be supported by taxes, Cary Memorial Library was listed as one of the finest libraries in the country in the January 1999 issue of American Libraries, the magazine of the American Library association. Based on a number of factors including circulation, library visits per capita, and revenue per capita Cary is listed 11^th of 20 libraries nationwide. Cary’s mission is to provide materials, resources and services that promote lifelong learning and cultural enrichment, enhance public school curriculum, promote reading as central to literacy, initiate a dynamic program of reading for preschoolers, and provide electronic access to information. The Cary Lecture Series provides a variety of free, educational, and entertaining events open to all citizens of Lexington.

Go to Community Links for other arts and cultural organizations.

Retail Shopping Locations

Lexington Center

A full complement of local stores, professionals, and service establishments are concentrated here and throughout the town.

Restaurants and dining

Excellent facilities including formal dining, a diversity of ethnic restaurants, and several sandwich shops.

Farm Stands

	Busa Farms, 52 Lowell St, 781-862-2555
	Doran's Greenhouses, Inc., 150 East St; 781- 862-5127
	Lexington Farmers' Market, seasonal, Tuesday afternoons, corner of Woburn St.& Massachusetts Ave.
	Wilson Farms, 10 Pleasant St, 781- 862-3900
	Wagon Wheel Nursery and Garden Center, 927 Waltham St, 781-862-2112

Museums

Lexington's location - only 15 minutes from Cambridge, and public transportation system make local universities, museums, and cultural events easily accessible. More than 50 institutions of higher learning and museums in the greater Boston area enhance Lexington residents' quality of life.

The National Heritage Museum, a history museum and library, is free and located in Lexington.

Houses of Worship

There are over twenty serving all major denominations in Lexington. The Lexington Clergy Association is an informal gathering of clergy and other people engaged in professional ministry. The Clergy Association works for understanding and religious diversity, and for building community in Lexington.

Clubs/Organizations/ Political and Civic Organizations and Activities/Social Organizations and Events

See Community Links for information about the wide variety of clubs and organizations in Lexington.

Education

Childcare & preschool

There are many options available for parents of preschool age children in Lexington. Helpful information is available from the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services.

Public/Private Schools in Lexington

Lexington School System, 1557 Massachusetts Ave., 861-2580. Lexington public Schools are known nationally for their excellence in academic and extra-curricular programs. Our nine schools (six elementary, two middle, and one high school) serve approximately 6000 students in regular and special education programs from pre-school through Grade 12. Our schools also reflect three core values: individuality and diversity, shared responsibility, and continuous improvement. A commitment to lifelong learning encourages community members of all ages to understand the Town's proud history of courageous leadership, and to pursue cutting edge thinking and skills that keep our revolutionary tradition alive.

Lexington is a member of the Minuteman Regional High School, where high school students and adults have access to vocational training programs. The Lexington School District hosts an extensive Community Education Program with evening programs during the academic year, and summer day programs for children. The public schools extend resources through great partnerships with The Museum of Our National Heritage, the Lexington Historical Society, and countless volunteers who offer hours of talented service to the children of the Town and teaching staff. Lexington enjoys community support for an ambitious technology plan that addresses staff training and support, equipment purchase, and integration into all aspects of instruction and administration.

The Lexington Schools have undertaken a major renovation and rebuilding plan. Projects at the three secondary schools are complete. A new Harrington Elementary School has been built, and the old building is being used for swing space during work on the other five elementary schools.

Other highlights about the Lexington education system:

	Each year, approximately 95% of our graduating seniors go on to higher education programs;
	Lexington students rank in the top 10 Massachusetts school districts on statewide high stakes testing;
	Lexington students regularly win state and national recognition for individual, team, and ensemble performance in math, science, foreign language, drama, debate, and music.

Bridge	K - 5	55 Middleby Rd	(781) 861-2510
Bowman	K - 5	9 Philip Rd	(781) 861-2500
Joseph Estabrook	K - 5	117 Grove Street	(781) 861-2520
Fiske	K - 5	34A Colony Rd	(781) 861-2530
Harrington	K - 5	146 Maple Street	(781) 861-2540
Maria Hastings	K - 5	2618 Mass. Ave	(781) 860-5802
Jonas Clarke Middle	6 - 8	17 Stedman Rd	(781) 861-2450
William Diamond Middle	6 - 8	99 Hancock Street	(781) 861-2460
Lexington High	8 - 12	251 Waltham Street	(781) 861-2340

Private schools

A list of private schools in Lexington is available at Boston Central website.

Other Educational Programs

LABBB Collaborative Program, 251 Waltham St., Lexington (781) 861-2400. The Lexington School District is a member of the LABBB Collaborative Vocational Training Program, a group of 5 local school districts sharing special education program services and costs. The LABBB Program is a public school-based program for students with developmental challenges, providing traditional academics, functional and life skills, academics, independent living skills instruction, recreational, vocational, and supportive services through the least restrictive environments. In addition to the school sites, the LABBB Collaborative Program operates several community and industry-based group and individual supportive work training programs in a growing number of occupational cluster areas. Students at the LABBB Collaborative come from Lexington, Arlington, Burlington, Bedford, and Belmont, as well as from many out-of-district towns. They represent a diverse student population with a wide range of abilities and challenges.

Community Colleges

Middlesex Community College, Spring Rd., Bedford MA 01730, (800) 818-3434.

Nearby Colleges & Universities

Lexington is within easy commuting distance of all Greater Boston Colleges and Universities. Lexington's location - only 15 minutes from Cambridge, and public transportation system make local universities, museums, and cultural events easily accessible. More than 50 institutions of higher learning and museums in the greater Boston area enhance Lexington residents' quality of life.

	Bentley College, 175 Forest St, Waltham MA 02452, (781) 891-2000.
	Brandeis University, 415 South St., Waltham MA 02454, (781) 736-8787.

Northeastern University, Burlington Suburban Campus, South Bedford Street, (617) 373-2000.

Transportation and Utilities

Transportation

The Transportation page provides information about local LEXPRESS bus service and MBTA routes serving Lexington.

Electric, Gas, Phone, Cable

	Comcast cable TV
	NSTAR electric utility
	KeySpan Energy Delivery natural gas utility
	LexMedia
	RCN cable TV, internet, telephone
	Verizon phone and internet

Water/Sewer/Recycling

Lexington belongs to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and purchases approximately 2 million gallons of water annually. The town pays the MWRA to treat and dispose of the town's sewage. The town system serves more than 95% of the homes and businesses.

The town also operates a composting facility and recycles approximately 8,000 tons of yard waste annually. The rich material is available for residential use and for sale to contractors. The town also is host to the Household Hazardous Products Facility in which 16 communities participate.

Health Care

Major Regional Health Services Providers

	Beth Israel Deaconess HealthCare/Lexington Internal Medicine, 482 Bedford St, Lexington MA (781) 672-2100
	Lahey Lexington, 16 Hayden Avenue, Lexington MA

Emergency services providers

	Lexington Police Department (business only) (781) 862-1212
	Lexington Fire Department (business only) (781) 862-0270
	911 information: Dial 911 for Police, Fire, and Ambulance