Old Lyme — A mile-long trail in town will soon bear the name of Diana Atwood Johnson, the longtime chairwoman of the town's Open Space Commission and an advocate for open space.

A ceremony to rename the Red Trail in the Champlain North Open Space property as the Diana Atwood Johnson Memorial Trail will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, which is Connecticut Trails Day, the town announced in a news release. The Champlain Farm North property begins at the end of Wyckford Road, off Route 1, according to the release.

The Open Space Commission wanted to honor Atwood Johnson and ensure her legacy carried forward, said Amanda Blair, co-chair of the commission with Bill Dunbar.

"We just thought that Diana's signature on open space in Old Lyme was too important not to recognize long term," Blair said.

Atwood Johnson, who chaired the state's Natural Heritage, Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition Review Board for 18 years, ran the Old Lyme Inn for 25 years, served as chairwoman of the Board of Trustees for the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, and loved photography and birding, died in January.

Atwood Johnson had chaired the Open Space Commission — which started as a committee and then under her guidance became a commission — for almost 20 years, commission member Peter Cable said in a phone interview.

"She really forged the view of open space as something that was essential to the town's identity and to the preservation of habitat for animal and plant species," Cable said.

The commission felt the property's Red Trail, which abuts the Old Lyme Inn and passes by one of her favorite trees, the Barbizon Oak, would be fitting for Atwood Johnson, Dunbar said in making the request to the selectmen in early May.

"At over sixteen feet in circumference, the 300 year old Barbizon is one of Connecticut's largest oaks and was named in honor of the Old Lyme art colony, created in the late 19th century to be the American equivalent to the French Barbizon School of painting," according to the news release. "The predecessor to Old Lyme Inn was named the 'Barbizon Oak Inn.'"

When the Board of Selectmen approved the request, First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder noted that Atwood Johnson not only advocated for open space but also knew the town's trails very well. Reemsnyder recalled that years ago, Atwood Johnson hosted a trail walking day and she was able to point to many features. 

Dunbar said by phone Thursday that Atwood Johnson was very instrumental in the town's open space trails.

"Open space was her whole life," Dunbar said.

"She inspired all of us to continue acquiring open space and making it accessible for the town," Blair added.

k.drelich@theday.com