The ribbon was cut Thursday afternoon on the newly paved and landscaped section of Tammany Trace between the Covington Trailhead and the Justice Center parking area. Mayor Mark Johnson cut the ribbon while Parish President Mike Cooper looked on.
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The ceremony took place on Lockwood Street, between the train depot and diCristina's Restaurant. A Thursday night concert followed immediately.
The group "second lined" up to the Trailhead, bringing its own marching brass band, the Brasshearts.
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The dignitaries posed for a group picture.
The band played a varied selection of New Orleans jazz favorites.
Local residents are already using the new section for casual afternoon strolls.
This one block addition to the Tammany Trace, lying between the Covington Trailhead and the Justice Center, is actually where it all began 34 years ago. It was in 1992 when documents were signed in a special ceremony at the north end of the Covington train depot (where Lola's is now) that St. Tammany Parish acquired the abandoned railroad track from Covington to Slidell under the new federal "Rails to Trails" program. Dozens of dignitaries from across the parish met to watch the parish officials officially purchase the 30 mile-long stretch of property which would become the Tammany Trace recreational bike trail. For more information about that event, CLICK HERE
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