The Dakota Rail Regional Trail is completely open.

Trail users in the western suburbs have embraced this new route from the moment it was paved, and I want to thank everyone for their patience as we completed the final trail segment. All of us at Three Rivers Park District are grateful for the support of the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority and the cities along the trail.

With its exceptional views of Lake Minnetonka and the surrounding countryside, the Dakota Rail Regional Trail will be a community asset for generations to come.

I also want to thank businesses for their enthusiastic support of the trail. This was especially evident at the recent grand opening event in Mound, where representatives from approximately 40 businesses welcomed trail users and helped celebrate the completion of this wonderful project.

The trail offers so much potential for businesses in the area, both for existing establishments to expand their customer base and for development of new businesses to potentially serve trail users. A restaurant in St. Bonifacius that opened in the spring of 2008 is in a prime location next to the trail, and great potential exists for additional shops and restaurants along the 13.5-mile corridor.

The trail offers great vistas of Lake Minnetonka and connects to interesting, vibrant communities. On behalf of the Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners, I want to express my gratitude to all the residents, community leaders and businesses along the route, and I look forward to seeing many of you on the Dakota Trail this summer.

Sara Wyatt of Long Lake represents District 1 on the Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners. Her district includes Independence, Long Lake, Loretto, Maple Grove, Maple Plain, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Plymouth, St. Bonifacius and Wayzata.