Col. Alfred McCormack Preserve
- Ownership
- Redding Land Trust
- Acreage
- 238
- Entrances
- Redding: Intersection of Picketts Ridge Road and Georrge Hull Hill Road
Danbury: Field on south side of E Starrs Plain Road - Parking
- Gravel lot at Redding entrance. Field lot at Danbury entrance.
- Trails
- The Blue Trail 1.7 mi
The White Trail 1.6 mi
Blue and White Trail Link 0.2 mi
- Trail App
- McCormack Preserve Blue and White Trail Link
Background: In 1936, shortly after becoming partner at the New York law firm of Cravath, de Gersdorff, Swaine & Wood, Alfred McCormack bought 238 acres in Redding, with the intent to build a house at the top of Picketts Ridge.
But soon he was commissioned a Colonel in the Military Intelligence Service, becoming the Director of Military Intelligence in 1944. Col. McCormack was rewarded with the Distinguished Service Medal for his overall contribution to the Allied victory and an ability to inspire with his driving spirit of perfection. He was also named an Honorary Commander, Order of the British Empire, for work in coordinating U.S. and British intelligence and received an honorary knighthood from the Queen of Britain for his service during World War II.
One of his wartime colleagues asked for permission to use the property for hunting, and the Stamford Fish & Game Sportsmen's Association used the property ever since - until, that is, Col. McCormack's sons generously donated the property to the Redding Land Trust in 2019. A provision of the donation was that the Stamford Fish and Game Sportsmen's Association would continue to have access to the property from October 1 through February 15 each year until early 2024.
Key Features: This preserve is dominated by a glacial drumlin (hill) known as Picketts Ridge, with views in all directions in the winter, with gentle slopes to the North and South. The eastern border features a half mile or so of Saugatuck River waterfront.
The Preserve can be hiked as one big loop, or made smaller by using the shared Trail Link. Through deciduous and high coniferous woods, the Blue Trail brings one to the top of the drumlin, Pickett's Ridge. A refreshing view when leaves are off the trees. The White Trail descends a picturesque curve to a large beaver dam on the Saugatuck, and the forest floor is bright with trout lilies in April. Both the Danbury and Redding entrances also feature meadows.
The wide paths of the Blue Trail and the Trail Link make for a more relaxed walking experience. ❧
