Officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony today for the opening of a new nature trail in Gerritsen Creek.

The new nature trail was built as part of the Gerritsen Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project.

Gerritsen Creek is part of the Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Center. The entire area was restored as part of a more than $8 million project aimed at creating an ecosystem where plants and animals can thrive.

The creek is now the largest restored wetland, grassland and forest in the region. Officials say the nature trail will officially open to the public in the fall.