Cycling enthusiasts, community members and representatives from local and state agencies gathered last Thursday to celebrate the opening of a new 3.8-mile extension of the Santa Ana River Trail from Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino to California Street in Redlands. The completion of Phase III marks the end of the trail within the county’s Fifth Supervisorial District and the beginning of the segment in the Third District.
Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe and Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, highlighting the collaboration between the county’s Regional Parks and Public Works departments, along with support from the California Coastal Conservancy and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.
“This 3.8-mile extension is a major investment in Redlands and the surrounding communities,” Rowe said. “Redlands has a proud cycling tradition and a strong outdoor culture, and this trail strengthens both. It provides a safe and scenic space for residents and visitors to ride, walk and connect with nature.”
When completed, the 110-mile Santa Ana River Trail will extend through San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties, linking the San Bernardino Mountains near Mentone to the Pacific Ocean in Huntington Beach.
Regional Parks Director Beahta Davis said the ribbon-cutting represents significant progress toward completing the full trail corridor. Upon completion, Regional Parks will manage 22 miles of the trail from Mentone to Colton.
Baca emphasized the trail’s role in expanding access to outdoor recreation.
“This trail creates new opportunities for families to enjoy the outdoors at no cost,” Baca said. “It provides a safe space to bike, walk and stay active, while also bringing more riders and visitors into San Bernardino.”
Members of Trilogy Trikes of the Inland Empire rode approximately 1.5 miles east from the San Bernardino County Hall of Records on Hospitality Lane to attend the ceremony near the Employment Development Department Tax Division building on Brier Drive in San Bernardino.
Randall Swedlove, a Trilogy Trikes member, said the new segment offers both beauty and safety.
“Anyone who hasn’t explored the trail is missing out,” Swedlove said. “Even if you’re walking, this section is the most peaceful.”
Public Works Director Noel Castillo thanked his staff for their work on the project’s design and construction. He described the trail as a Class I bike path, meaning it is fully separated from vehicle traffic.
“This is one of the most meaningful community projects that we have delivered,” Castillo said. “We build flood control systems, transportation corridors and bridges, but projects like this have a direct and lasting impact on residents’ quality of life.”
San Bernardino County Assistant Executive Officer Michael Vu, who oversees Regional Parks and Public Works, said the trail supports recreation, alternative transportation and economic activity.
“This project represents an investment in outdoor recreation and in our communities,” Vu said. “It improves quality of life for families and supports local businesses along the corridor.”
Amy Hutzel, executive officer of the California Coastal Conservancy, spoke about the vision of connecting the Inland Empire to the coast.
“Connecting the Inland Empire to the coast is an ambitious vision,” Hutzel said. “It requires partnership among counties and cities, and it’s a powerful example of collaboration in California.”
The Coastal Conservancy administers the Santa Ana River Conservancy Program, which works to protect and restore habitat, expand public access and help communities adapt to climate change.
Through a Proposition 84 grant, the Conservancy provided nearly $6.9 million for Phase III and has committed additional funding for Phase IV-A, which will extend the trail east from California Street in Redlands to Orange Street in Mentone. An additional $1.1 million for Phase III came from the state’s Active Transportation Program, established under Senate Bill 99 to encourage walking and bicycling.
Phase IV will be constructed in segments from A through E. Phase IV-A is currently in the design phase with construction anticipated to begin in mid-2027.
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