Stephenson Preserve

The Bethel Land Trust worked with the Redding Land Trust in the initial stages of development to find the best site for an adequate parking lot.  We also helped build the kiosk which is modeled after the kiosk in Wolfpit Preserve.  The Stephenson Preserve trail starts at the parking lot and climbs a serpentine path to the top of the hill.  One there, you are rewarded by views of a beautiful pond and fern filled fields.  There are also rock walls that form corrals which were once used for livestock.  From the pond area trails arc off in different directions, and woodlands stretch almost to the Bethel Reservoir land.

The Stephenson Preserve’s location is strategically important. Only a few houses separate Huntington Park, Putnam Park and BLT’s Wolfpit Preserve.  Wolfpit is separated by only two roads from the Stephenson land.  This makes a wildlife corridor that can support many species – a life zone.