Planned events have been cancelled during the COVID-19 Emergency. To keep us all healthy, respect the rules of SOCIAL DISTANCING:
Stay at least 6 feet from others.
Keep dogs away from others as well.
Wear face masks when near others.
For announcements of future events at Arlington’s Great Meadows, please sign up to the Google group through the Contact page. You will then receive news and updates about our events, including weather-related cancellations and reschedulings. This is a very low volume moderated list, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
- Turtles at AGM
Arlington’s Great Meadows contains a very unique wetland complex in the middle of a busy suburb. Extensive wet meadows and vernal wetlands abound. Amphibians such as the wood frog and spotted salamander inhabit the strictly vernal wetlands while other frog species and turtles utilize both temporary and permanent bodies of water. Given the uniqueness of these wetlands in such an urban environment Zoo New England’s Field Conservation Department felt it would be interesting to conduct a turtle survey to determine species composition.
In May of 2026, the ZNE’s Field Conservation Staff conducted a 2-week survey in May in various wetlands at the Arlington Great Meadows. There had been a few turtle reports from as far back as the 2001 Biodiversity Day event, and a few iNaturalist reports of Painted and Snapping turtles were noted especially around Peepers Pond just outside of the Great Meadow.
No formal survey has ever been done for turtles at Great Meadows.
Spotted turtle top shell (carapace). This one is particularly brightly spotted.
In all this was a great experience as when one enters the habitat of their study subject one sees
and experiences things that would otherwise be rarely encountered on the main trails. At
Arlington’s Great Meadows, hidden vernal pools were found. Of note; Jack-in-the-pulpit was far
more abundant here than any of the numerous wetlands I’ve been to. The abundance of
Amphipods in all the survey wetlands was also noteworthy. Possibly some were the state listed
Mystic Valley Amphipod. Wood frog adults and tadpoles, green frogs and their egg masses and
even crayfish were found. Deer trails were throughout the area which helped navigate dense
vegetation. Even a Muskrat and a Little Blue Heron observed. Many other common plants and
animals of course were observed during their spring progression.The full report is available here: https://foagm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AGM-Turtles-ZNE-26-07.pdf
Postscript: The only species of turtle we caught were Spotted turtles. A total of 17 Spotted turtles (6 females and 11 males) were caught plus one we saw swim away from us. I was a little surprised we didn’t catch any Painted turtles or even see any basking. No doubt they are in Peepers Pond just to the south of AGM but didn’t survey there.
- Leaning Pier Replaced
The AGM boardwalks were constructed over twenty years ago and with time things decay and need repair. For a number of years we have been replacing the walking treads that decay. But sometimes more substantial work is needed. This Spring two of the supporting piers on the Lily Pond boardwalk were showing signs of failure.
Fortunately one of our stewards noticed this and organized a repair crew which jacked things up in rather mucky terrain.
Thanks to the work of Greg Shenstone, Bruce Neumann and David Markun all is secure again.
- Scouts Carry Out Boardwalk Repair
October was a big month for boardwalk repair work at Arlington’s Great Meadows.
The first project was the total replacement of a forty+ foot section of boardwalk that was sitting at ground level and had rotted out and fallen apart over the last twenty years. It is now sitting on plastic sleepers above the ground level to keep the wood dry and should last at least another twenty plus years. This was an Eagle Scout project organized by Conall Schuette of Arlington Scout Troop 306 and completed over the weekend of October 3-5.
The second project was the replacement of individual boards that were rotting out in the Lily Pond Boardwalk. This was carried out by Scouts of Troop 313 and various adults on the somewhat rainy day of Monday October 13. Altogether over forty damaged treads were replaced and the old wood hauled away.
It is the work of volunteers such as these who maintain Arlington’s Great Meadows as a safe and enjoyable outdoor space. And special thanks to Greg Shenstone who organized and facilitated much of this effort.
David White for the Friends of Arlington’s Great Meadows, 10/18/25: www.FoAGM.org
- CLC WALKS – FALL 2025
Many walks are scheduled this Fall by the Citizens for Lexington Conservation. Check the website: (https://clclex.org/events/ ) for details, registration, updates and cancellation.
Registration is not necessary unless specifically mentioned in the walk notes. Walks will be canceled in case of steady rain/snow, unless otherwise noted. No dogs, except certified service dogs.
- Thursday September 25. The Moth Ball at Willards Woods.
- Saturday September 27. Willards Woods: A Brief Journey Through a Historic Landscape.
- Sunday October 5. Across Lexington Route N.
- Saturday October 11. Fauna and Flora of Arlington’s Great Meadows.
- Sunday October 12. Goat Pasture Walk at Chiesa Farm.
- Saturday October 18. Across Lexington Route A.
- Sunday October 19. Edible Plants – Fall Edition.
- Saturday October 25. Fall Bird Walk at the Arlington Reservoir and Lexington Community Farm.
- Sunday November 9. iNaturalist Observation Walk at Joyce Miller Meadow.
- Saturday November 29. Turkey Trot Walk – Willards Woods/Chiesa Farm
- MWRA Water Main Project and Bikeway Closure
2025/2026 MWRA Water Main Relay Project
The MWRA will re-lay the water main in Maple Street, and the Minuteman Bikeway (next to AGM) as well as a small section of East Mass Ave. Work will begin after Memorial Day on the Lowell St end of Maple Street and work towards the bike path. Work begins June 2nd.
Work will be done in 2 phases:
- Phase 1 along Maple Street and East Mass Ave (Spring, Summer, and Fall 2025)
- Phase 2 along the MMBW (Fall-Winter 2025-2026) For this phase the bike path will be closed and users of the path will be directed to Mass Ave, There will be a dedicated bike lane set up on Mass Ave between Bow Street and Maple St during this time.
Roads are expected to remain open with alternating one way traffic at times. Construction hours are generally Monday-Friday from 7am to 5pm. Any road closures and detours will be posted on this page as well as the Engineering Construction Impacts webpage.