CLEVELAND —A new two-mile all-purpose trail that will connect eight Cleveland neighborhoods was unveiled by Cleveland Metroparks on Wednesday.

The trail opened for pedestrian and bike use along RTA's Red Line.

The new Red Line Greenway will extend from the Michael Zone Recreation Center Park at West 53rd Street to the Cleveland Foundation Centennial Lake Link Trail at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Columbus Road.  There are access points at West 44th Street, West 41st Street, West 25th Street and Columbus Road near Abbey Avenue and Franklin Avenue. 

The trail is part of the Re-Connecting Cleveland Project, which is expected to be completed next month.

“The Re-Connecting Cleveland project including the newly opened Red Line Greenway is doing just that — it is reconnecting our communities through a bold vision only possible through successful partnerships and community support,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian M. Zimmerman. “This new accessible trail is breaking transportation barriers that have existed for decades and will improve access to and from downtown.”

The overall cost of the Red Line Greenway project was $6 million, much of which came from federal and state grants.

“The Red Line Greenway provides a safe bike and pedestrian corridor that connects tens of thousands of residents for improved travel between home and work, school and play,” said Grace Gallucci, Executive Director and CEO of NOACA. “The trail is a prime example of how improving our transportation network can support economic development and enhance the quality of life for all people of Northeast Ohio.”