Bay View Elementary School students, teachers and chaperones cast shadows as they make their way Wednesday morning along the rail trail near the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.

Specially baked cookies at Wednesday’s celebration.

Bay View Elementary School students enjoy a walk along Segment 7 of the Coastal Rail Trail Wednesday morning following a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the newly opened 0.8-mile stretch that connects Bay Street/California Street to Pacific Avenue/Beach Street and complements the already completed Segment 7 Phase I, forming a continuous 2.1-mile multi-use path from Natural Bridges Drive to Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. The city of Santa Cruz Public Works Department hosted the event at La Barranca Park along Bay Street. Students at Bay View are the first in the city to receive comprehensive TK–5th grade Walk Smart and Bike Smart training with support from Ecology Action. Officials say that the new trail segment enhances safe access for walkers and bikers of all ages and abilities, linking neighborhoods to the beach, downtown and key community destinations. “This ribbon cutting isn’t just about a new bike path — it’s about celebrating the next generation of environmental stewards,” said Renee Golder, Bay View principal and a member of the Santa Cruz City Council.

Pedestrians enjoy the trail following the ribbon cutting on Wednesday.

A Big Trees and Pacific train sits on the tracks as pedestrians and cyclists head down the newly opened section of the Coastal Rail Trail on Wednesday.