SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (AP) — A 4.5-mile recreational trail connecting Van Buren State Park with South Haven is open following a more than $460,000 paving project.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the 10-foot-wide trail offers a link to the South Haven Trail system. The southwestern Michigan city maintains a marked route that connects to a downtown trailhead, businesses, beaches and Kal-Haven Trail State Park.

The new trail section is open to foot traffic, bicycles, roller skates and skateboards. It also will be open for cross-country skis and snowshoes.

Land for the trail was acquired from Consumers Energy in the mid-1990s. The former railroad grade originally was used to help construct the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. The DNR and the federal government provided funding for the $464,800 project.