Cynwyd Heritage Trail Opening Sunday

After half a year of construction and , Lower Merion Township is ready to open the .

The paved 2.5-mile path for runners, hikers and bikers stretches from the Cynwyd SEPTA station at Bala and Montgomery avenues to the intersection of Belmont Avenue and Rock Hill Road.

The volunteer group Friends of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail will hold a Fall Festival and ribbon-cutting ceremony from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the former site of the Barmouth train station—at the end of East Levering Mill Road. (Patch will be on hand to capture the day in words and pictures.)

It's the same location as the . According to the Friends, the event will include refreshments, music, giveaways, arts and crafts, face-painting and scavenger hunts.

The trail passes the Manayunk Bridge, which is eventually supposed to be renovated to connect paths on both sides of the Schuylkill River; Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter .

on the former rail line path through Bala Cynwyd began by degrees in the early spring, with around the edges with , cleaning and other duties.

The trail was supposed to officially open Sept. 23, but Hurricane Irene and other storms pushed back construction. Scattered acts of throughout the process did not affect the timeline, officials said.

Search "cynwyd heritage trail" at balacynwyd.patch.com, or visit cynwydtrail.org or the Friends' Facebook page, for more information about the trail or the opening ceremony.