250th Anniversary - Disgusting proposal

 

 

Friends of Minute Man National Park Preserving the Birthplace of the American Revolution Help Protect Minute Man’s Battlefield Landscape Image: The Fiske Hill battle site, near the proposed townhouse development. Preservation Alert - Help Protect Minute Man Minute Man National Historical Park commemorates the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the first battle of the American Revolution, on April 19, 1775. The Lexington Planning Board is currently reviewing a proposed development at 114 Wood Street in Lexington, Massachusetts (see maps below). The property is privately owned but lies within the administrative boundary* of Minute Man National Historical Park and within the National Register-listed Minute Man National Historical Park Historic District. The proposed development in its current form calls for 15 new townhome units in six buildings, along with substantial tree removal, new buildings and driveways, grading, utilities, and other site disturbance. The property currently contains a single home, significant tree cover, and wetlands. The National Park Service has raised significant concerns about potential impacts to Minute Man National Historical Park, including the historic battlefield landscape and viewsheds, archaeological resources, natural resources, and historic stone walls. The Friends of Minute Man oppose the proposed project and are concerned that its current form is incompatible with preserving this nationally significant battlefield landscape. The National Park Service has also noted that nearby archaeological investigations have uncovered battle-related artifacts associated with the Parker’s Revenge, Bloody Bluff, and Fiske Hill battlefields. *An administrative boundary is established by the US Congress via public law. This boundary can include lands that are owned by the National Park Service or others. In the case of the Wood Street parcel, it is a privately owned in-holding within the Park boundary. View the statute that added this parcel given its importance in "the historic landscape along the road between Lexington and Concord." What We are Asking the Town of Lexington to Consider The Friends of Minute Man is asking the Town of Lexington to explore alternatives that would avoid or substantially reduce potential impacts to the Park and its nationally significant battlefield landscape. If the project proceeds, we are asking for strong and enforceable conditions on any approval, including: A comprehensive archaeological assessment before any ground disturbance Reduced density and relocation of development outside of wetland buffers and increased protection for the vernal pool Measures to prevent stormwater and other impacts to Park resources Protection of significant forest and wildlife habitat How You Can Help - Submit Comments by Oct. 1 You can help Minute Man National Historical Park and its historic battlefield landscapes by sharing your comments and concerns with the Lexington Planning Board. You do not need to be a Lexington resident to comment. You can share why Minute Man matters to you and ask the Planning Board to carefully consider the National Park Service’s documented concerns about the proposed development. Please submit comments to planning@lexingtonma.gov by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, for consideration at the Planning Board’s October 7 meeting. Download a Sample Letter or write your own! Please contact Kathleen Fahey with any questions at director@friendsofminuteman.org. Thank you for helping protect Minute Man National Historical Park.