The Daily Bulletin is reporting on a ceremony earlier today, recognizing the closing of five miles of gaps in the Santa Ana River Trail (SART): “New segments of Santa Ana River Trail finished”. Now the trail is complete between Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino and Norco city limits.

Work on the new portions of the trail began in late 2006, with construction getting under way in 2007. All the work was completed in December, but rains forced organizers to reschedule the grand opening to May.

Friday’s ceremony at Hidden Valley included a “ride-through” by members of the Riverside Bicycle Club and several equestrians from throughout the three participating counties.

It sounds pretty spiffy:

[The Hidden Valley Wildlife Area] portion of the trail required work on two parallel trails, one horse trail and an asphalt trail for cyclists, joggers and hikers. Both are about 10 feet wide, [Patricia Lock-Dawson, project strategist] said.

“It’s a beautiful section of trail, it’s really the jewel of the whole Santa Ana River Trail,” she said. “The experience is enhanced by the neighboring wetland complex and the views of the mountains. And it’s got no development.”