A three-quarter-mile section of the York Hanover Trolley Trail is nearing completion.

The York County Rail Trail Authority will hold the official opening of the Jackson Township walking and riding path on Monday, Aug. 20. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m.

Spring Grove residents will now have access to 1.5 miles of crushed stone trail, offering them easy access to an exercise path right from the borough.

"People can walk from their homes right onto the trail. It's very convenient," said Gwen Loose, executive director of the Rail Trail Authority. The new section, which cost about $291,000, is connecting with an existing three-quarter-mile section. The new portion goes from the Jackson Township parking

area at Hershey Road westward to Martin Road. The previous section goes from Hershey Road to Spring Grove's Hosiery Alley.

Going there and back will cover three miles, or about a 5K race worth, Loose said, so it can be great exercise. The new section has been in use, though it won't officially open until Aug. 20.The Rail Trail Authority has relied on funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, as well as Jackson Township, to cover most of the costs.

There are plans to continue extending the trail westward toward Penn and Heidelberg townships by some point next year.

Loose said the newly-formed Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce has already volunteered to adopt the new section and maintain it.

- Reach Andrew Shaw at ashaw@yorkdispatch.com