WRIGHT TOWNSHIP -- Cyclists and hikers now have an expanded trail system to enjoy in part of Luzerne County. There's now officially another 10 mile stretch of trail available to the public between White Haven and Mountain Top.
The grand opening of the Black Diamond section of the Delaware and Lehigh Trail was held Monday.
Summertime is a time for exploring the outdoors and for some folks that means lots and lots of biking.
"Every summer we always try to take the kids out on a different route, whether it be biking or hiking or so when we saw this, we just figured it was something new to try this year," said Jill Hoyt of Shavertown
The new 10-mile Black Diamond section of the rails to trails project is now officially open to the public.
10-year-old Bryce Burgit of Shavertown has been riding for half his life. He says he usually coasts along the trail by the Lehigh Gorge and is excited to see what this one has to offer.
"I want to see how long it is, if there's many hills or anything or if it's just a nice, flat trail and I want to see what kind of animals I can see on it."
This new trail brings the rails to trails project 10 miles closer to completing the goal of connecting Wilkes-Barre to Bucks County.
"We're within striking distance. We kind of look at as sort of a golden spike moment where we can say 'Hey, we've done it. We're here,''' said Elissa Garofalo, D&L President.
The $1.1 million Black Diamond section connects White Haven to Mountain Top.
"It gets everybody outdoors instead of inside and the trails are always so nice and groomed and they're easy to ride."
The trails get people moving outside and allow them to explore the region that has a lot of railroad history and the executive director says there is $19 million of direct economic impact from this trail.