(November 6, 2007) — IRONDEQUOIT — Bicyclists, skaters, joggers and pedestrians officially have a smoother path from the Irondequoit Bay Outlet Marine Park to the O'Rorke Bridge.

Though many people have already started using the Irondequoit Lakeside Multi-Use Trail, local leaders declared the new path officially open at a ceremony on Monday.

The 4.7-mile stretch includes a 13-foot-wide asphalt trail through the northern part of Durand-Eastman Park along Lake Ontario and a timber bridge over Tamarack Swamp.

The project, which has been under construction for the past year, received $1.2 million in federal funding and $705,000 from Monroe County. Irondequoit contributed $460,000 in in-kind services for trail construction.

Irondequoit residents such as Ann Burns are pleased. "It was very well planned and executed," said Burns, who has biked, walked and run on the trail. "There are people on it from sunrise to sunset."

EBRYANT@DemocratandChronicle.com