The Greater Jamestown Riverwalk trail stretches from 8th Street to Fluvanna Avenue along the Chadakoin River and is set to officially open June 29. P-J photo by Eric Zavinski

A new bike trail in the form of the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk is set for a grand opening June 29. The trail stretching from 8th Street to Fluvanna Avenue features lots of natural habitats to explore along the Chadakoin River.

The Audubon Community Nature Center helped scout the trail before construction and looks forward to the official reveal of the trail. Naturalist Jeff Tome noted that the trail stretches through various environments, including wooded areas, fields and the Chadakoin River.

“It is one of the most beautiful wild sections of paved bike trail,” Tome said. “It is a fantastic place for birds. I think (the trail) is a great asset.”

Tome is far from the only one looking forward to the trail opening. Jamestown resident Mark Dunham appreciates the variety of habitats as well. As a bird watcher, he has reported seeing a northern shrike, pileated woodpeckers, warblers and numerous birds of prey.

“Various birds like various habitats,” Dunham said. “(The trail) is a dream for a birder.”

Dunham also noted that the trail is a great place to meet other Jamestown residents and expects it to be a place to draw in future tourists.

“They did a wonderful job grading it; it’s really a fun place for Jamestown,” Dunham said.

Twan Leenders, president of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, concurred. Leenders has led multiple groups every other week along the trail in pursuit of nature. On Wednesday mornings, groups have been able to spot a variety of birds and other animals along the trail.

“Before you know it, you’re not even in Jamestown anymore,” Leenders said, even though he knows that one technically still is in Jamestown as they stroll by the Chadakoin River and through what used to be swampy lands.

The elevated bike trail helps to alleviate that problem, allowing people easy access to walking, running, biking, skateboarding and more.

Leenders mentioned that multiple at-risk species actually call this area home. The spiny softshell turtle is just one type of animal that has a larger population in this area than anywhere else in the state.

“It’s great to be able to see them in their natural habitat,” Leenders said.

On one jog alone, Leenders said he saw or heard 68 different species of birds and would not be surprised if approximately 140 species called the area home, at least for the spring season as many birds are found migrating in the area.

“People have no idea how diverse the city is,” Leenders said.

Biodiversity also attracts invasive species, and Leenders said construction crews have done a great job of keeping creatures that could harm the local ecosystem in check. Leenders is ecstatic about the variety of animals living in Jamestown’s backyard.

The fact that the trail is connected to the Chadakoin Park is a bonus in his book.

“Every time I’ve been out there, people have been using (the trail),” Leenders said. “It needs to be one of these assets. The more people who know about it, the better.”

The trail has come a long way through the years; the grant approval process even predates project engineer Mark Roetzer from the city of Jamestown working on the trail for the past eight years by planning or facilitating construction. Roetzer helped put together the initial plan and is excited to see his team’s work come to fruition.

After most of the paving took place last year, the trail stretches to 1.2 miles in length with small parking areas at both ends. Three bridges cross drainage ditches, and there is an observation platform directly across from the river and McCrea Point Park.

“(The observation deck) will make people a little more interested to maybe jump in a kayak,” said Roetzer, who noted the long distance one can see down the Chadakoin.

Since the last bridge was completed about two weeks ago, more people have been using the unofficially opened trail.

“They just loved it; they thought it was great,” Roetzer said.

The finishing touches on the trail include planting trees alongside it and finishing the parking area on the north side by painting lines, putting up signs and coating the surface.

A ribbon cutting for the trail will take place Friday, June 29 at 1:30 p.m. at the south end of the trail. The public is encouraged to attend.