On Friday, Jamestown officials and community residents gathered along the Chadakoin River near West Eighth Street to officially open the new Chadakoin Park Trail and Bike Path.

Sam Teresi, Jamestown mayor, said the idea for the trail originated in 1974 when Jamestown High School senior Cindy Hedberg Sorenson wrote a letter to then city Mayor Stan Lundine. Hedberg wrote the trail would allow for greater safety for bicyclist compared to riding city streets. Lundine, who later became state liutenant governor, answered Sorenson’s letter by stating the bike path would be a great addition to the city.

Although it took 44 years, Sorenson’s idea has become a reality and Lundine has kept his promise.

“It only took 44 years. We had a good idea, it just took a long time,” Lundine joked. “It takes a while to get things done and it takes great leadership.”

Becky and Sam Teresi, Jamestown mayor, participate in the first official bike ride along the new Chadakoin Park Trail and Bike Path. Phase 5 of the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk officially opened Friday.

Lundine along with Russell E. Diethrick Jr., former city Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department director, cut the ribbon to officially open the trail Friday. Members of Sorenson’s family, who was unable to attend the event, Mark Roetzer, nephew, and Mickey Sorenson, brother-in-law, participated in the ribbon cutting, who both worked on the bike trail for the city.

“It literally was a community-wide effort going back several years,” Teresi said.

Teresi thanked all the city workers involved in the project, along with state, county and community foundation partners who helped create the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk.

The 1.2-mile, 10-foot wide path is the newest addition to the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk. Phase 5 of the Riverwalk projects includes a Chadakoin River overlook area, which includes park amenities like benches, picnic tables and trash cans.

The trail includes three bridges, decorative lights and a parking area at both ends of the trail, which goes from West Eighth Street to Clifton Avenue near D&S Glass. The total cost of the project was $525,162, with half coming from the state Local Waterfront Revitalization Program and the city, who provided materials, equipment and labor to construct the path.

County Executive George Borrello said the new bike path in the city is a great example of how officials in the county can highlight a natural resource, like the Chadakoin River, to draw tourist to the city.

“We can’t be the best kept secret. We have to let people know,” he said about all of the beautiful natural resources that can be discovered throughout the county.

Andy Goodell, state Assemblyman, also spoke during the ceremony. Goodell and Teresi said Andy’s father, John, was one of the original people in the county to recognize the importance of the Chautauqua Rails to Trails program. Even though the section of the Riverwalk isn’t part of the county Rails to Trails program, the new bike path exemplifies John Goodell’s desire to enhance outdoor activities in the city and throughout the county.

City officials will be celebrating again next week, July 7, when they officially open the pedestrian bridges in downtown Jamestown. Teresi said Bridge Fest 2018 will start at 10:30 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony, which will be followed by live music and food. The festival will celebrate all seven downtown bridges in the city.