After much anticipation, city officials and members of the community gathered at Riverfront Park Saturday, to celebrate the completion of the Riverfront trail.

The City of Niles Public Park and Recreation Board hosted a dedication and ribbon cutting Ceremony at the park with Mayor Mike McCauslin was in attendance.

An extension to the trail, long-awaited by the community and city officials, underwent paving which began in August.

Officials did not excape the project without delay. Particularly when an endangered plant was discovered near the trail.

The extension was originally scheduled to begin in 2009 but was slowed by complications in obtaining an easement from Indiana Michigan Power Co. that has a substation in the area.

“There have been a few surprises and delays on the project but overall I think it has gone pretty well,” Public Works director Neil Coulston said in an e-mail to the Star back in August.

The Riverfront trail, with the extension measures 2.25 miles.