Reeve Biggers Trail
- Ownership
- Centennial Watershed State Forest
- Entrance
- Gallows Hill Road at power line
- Parking
- Off road, limited
- Trails
- White, 0.9 mile
Dan Beard Trail
- Ownership
- Redding Land Trust
- Acreage
- 14.5
- Entrance
- Route 53, south of John Read Middle School
- Parking
- At John Read Middle School
- Trails
- White, 1.1 miles
- Trail App
- Dan Beard Trail
In November, 1988, a new trail just over a mile long was dedicated on land donated by James and JoAnne McMurray. Located on a 14.5 acre tract behind John Read Middle School, the Dan Beard Trail was named in honor of the founder of the Boy Scouts of America, who lived for a time in Redding and owned the property through which the trail runs.
It is a loop trail that begins and ends off Route 53, one-tenth of a mile south of the school.
As part of the new Saugatuck Valley linkage plan, this path has been extended northward as the Reeve Biggers Trail. The Biggers Trail transverses former water company lands to Gallows Hill Road at the power line crossing. From there, hikers can easily reach long-established trails in the Gallows Hill Natural Area and the Yovan Tract.
The Biggers Trail, running through mixed woods and crossing a sparkling brook, was created, and has been named, in memory of Reeve K. Biggers, chairman of the Redding Conservation Commission from 1985 to 1992 and an ardent supporter of the Town's trails system.
The trail may also be entered at the power line crossing on Gallows Hill Road. ❧
