SAINT PAUL – Mayor Chris Coleman was on hand Wednesday for the official re-opening of the Sam Morgan Trail. The 1.9 mile trail has been transformed with a new lighting system, additional trees and a wider path for bikers and walkers.

Representing a regional transit option along the Mississippi River, the Sam Morgan Trail connects the Mississippi River Boulevard with downtown Saint Paul.

“The differences between the Sam Morgan Trail as it was and now are night and day,” Mayor Chris Coleman said. “With the help of federal stimulus funds and the Metropolitan Council, we have created a first rate path that connects our regions, providing a place that everyone from bicycle commuters to families can enjoy.”

The $1.6 million dollar improvements were made possible with $859,000 in Federal Transportation Enhancement and $450,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funds as well as $300,000 from the Metropolitan Council.

In addition to the new trail lighting system, landscaping and widening the path, the City also created a second path to separate bikers and pedestrians and made improvements to the overall site drainage.

The trail is named after Samuel H. Morgan, who was a strong supporter in the creation and development of parks and other outdoor amenities in Minnesota. His efforts helped lead to the creation of Afton State Park, the preservation of Fort Snelling as a State Park, the formation of the Minnesota Parks and Trails Council and the creation of trails throughout the state.