SOUTH BEND, Ind.--- The Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail will have its grand opening ceremony Saturday morning at 9. The 34 mile trail connects Niles, South Bend, and Mishawaka.

The trail follows the St. Joseph River through the three cities. It also provides access to four universities, five hospitals, and 16 parks. 

The trail has been in the works for decades. Building through difficult terrain and getting permits to build caused this project to take decades to complete. 

The opening ceremony on Saturday begins at the Stateline Road trail head located at 19890 Stateline Road. The festivities then move to the Fort Street trail head in Niles at 10:15 a.m. and will conclude at the Spectrum Health Lakeland trail head at 11.