The Route
The 2.8 mile Perryville Loop Trail begins in Dudley, where it departs the Quinebaug Rail Trail and heads east for a short distance down Carpenter Road. The Quinebaug Rail Trail continues north. Upon reaching Schofield Avenue (Route 12), the trail turns southeast for about one-half mile along the closed Lower Perryville Road. Upon reaching Perryville Road, it rounds the dam and enters Webster, heading north through woodlands until it reaches the southern end of the wastewater treatment plant property. There it goes under the P&W railroad track through a cow passage and proceeds further north with the rails now on the left. Upon reaching Winter Haven Drive, the trail proceeds for a short distance on the street, then skirts Berthold soccer field, and connects with the Quinebaug Rail Trail where it terminates at the active P&W line. Here one may proceed north to Hill Street on the wastewater treatment access road. Or, turning south on the Quinebaug Rail Trail, one may continue back to the starting point, or one may turn north immediately after crossing the river on the west side, reaching the Ethan Allen Mill property and the northern extension of the French River Greenway. There are only two private property owners along this route, although their holdings are lengthy.
The Greenway may be routed north on either side of the river through the wooded river corridor between Chase Avenue in Dudley and the active railroad tracks in Webster. South of the Chase Avenue bridge, the Dudley side is selected and the trail is directed onto Stevens Mill Property for a short distance, then across some land belonging to National Grid, and takes advantage of town easements before finding the railbed of the old Boston & Albany Railroad at Oxford Avenue. The Greenway then can proceed north all the way to Hodges Village on this railbed with few road crossings, narrow spots, or crossing private land that is in current active use. The Greenway passes the proposed Riverbend and Calvary Parks, as well as Collins Cove. The northernmost trail section in Dudley is zoned for conservation.
The four mile Memorial Beach Trail Spur crosses an old railroad bridge with spectacular views upriver, and proceeds east on the railbed, owned by National Grid, to the area of Cranston Print Works on route 12, passing near a senior housing complex. The trail then heads south on Thompson Road and to Memorial Beach, passing several restaurants and other businesses on the way. There is a small unmaintained trail system there, including a beautiful pine forest. After returning to Thompson Road, it crosses to Second Island Road and follows it to Park Avenue and East Main Street, to more restaurants and shops. The trail then continues south, bearing left onto West Main Street through the center of downtown Webster. The spur rejoins the main French River Greenway at the river crossing over the 1868 stone arch bridge between Webster and Dudley.
In the center of downtown Webster, a riverwalk loop can be developed, with a total length of one mile, running from the Railroad Museum to Peter Street, paralleling the river as closely as possible, and back onto Main Street. Because of visibility and public impact, this is considered important for early development.
