A Belcamp neighborhood once vibrant with trick-or-treaters, illuminated porch lights and decorations has since seen a decline in Halloween spirit, so much so that local business owner Ryan Bridgeman took it upon himself to transform a stretch of woods binding two neighborhoods into a free, spine-chilling haunted attraction.

Bridgeman, 40, calls the attraction the Haunted Trail, and he started it from his home on Foxglove Square in 2020 when he outlined a path in the woods with caution tape and set up mechanical Halloween decorations.

“This started out as a family and friends gathering that has opened up to the idea of ‘hey, maybe I should invite the neighborhood’ and now it’s open to everyone and a big community thing,” Bridgeman said.

Bridgeman is the father of four sons ages 8, 13, 15 and 17, as well as the owner of Ryan and Son Plumbing, and”] which sponsors the Haunted Trail each year.

He started the trail because he enjoys decorating for the holidays. The Haunted Trail has been a project that continues to grow each year as he aims to keep the Halloween spirit alive

“I was born in the ’80s and we used to go out in big groups and all the neighbors were involved but now, the lights are off and I am trying to make up for that,” Bridgeman said. “It has gotten bigger and each year more people come because more people know about it.”

Trick-or-treaters enter the trail from Foxglove Square and exit on the other side of the woods on Foxglove Court — traditionally two of the biggest trick-or-treating neighborhoods in Belcamp.

The trail runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Halloween night only. This year’s theme features clowns, spiders and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Set-up for the trail typically takes two days as Bridgeman and a crew of three to four friends and family work to set up decorations and plan out the trail.

“It is always a lot of fun and it is great to do something like this and to see everyone enjoy it,” Bridgeman said.

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