When Shoreline resident Nancy Jones goes to the grocery store she takes the city’s newly completed non-motorized transportation system to get there.

“I can get there safely,” Jones said.

The Interurban Trail allows her to navigate between 185th Street and 175th Street in her wheelchair. On Sept. 22, Jones and other residents, past and present council members, city staff and representatives traveled the trail to be part of the city’s celebration surrounding the completion and dedication of the three-mile trail.

“One of our first goals in 1995 was the Interurban Trail and I’m very pleased that in 12 years we’ve been able to complete that,” Shoreline Mayor Bob Ransom said to a crowd assembled in the parking lot of Walgreens, north of 175th Street on Aurora Avenue.

“The Interurban Trail is something we can be proud of,” he said. “The coming generation can use and enjoy this trail for many years.”

The development of the Interurban Trail included rest stops, trailheads, interpretive historical and natural features, and directional signs. A traffic signal was installed at Linden Avenue North and North 145th Street by the city of Seattle.

“That will help get bicyclists and pedestrians safely across our section of the trail to Seattle,” city manager Bob Olander said.

Parks director Dick Deal told residents they can expect more dedication ceremonies as additional improvements are made.

“Just because the Interurban Trail is done we are no where near being done with our trail development in the beautiful community of Shoreline,” he said.

Members of a Trail Corridor Study Group are currently working on making soft surface trail improvements and links from parks and the Burke-Gilman Trail, according to Deal.

A dedication plaque was unveiled by Deal, Olander and Ransom at the celebration. Residents of all ages biked and walked along the trail following a ribbon cutting ceremony. Children decorated their bikes with Shoreline flags and colored streamers while others purchased new bike helmets or had air pumped into their bike’s tires.

The event included the Around the Sound Community Band, Cascade Bike Club, Oxy Gene from Community Transit, REI, the Shoreline Fire Department, Starbucks, Volkssport Soundsteppers, and the Washington Health Foundation.

“I can’t wait to bring my grandson to ride this trail,” resident Nancy Gustafson said. “Just think, in 20 years people will know (that) people today thought to look into the future.”