NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — Supporters have celebrated the completion of the first phase of a $180,000 hiking and biking trial.

Supporters of the Owens Trail at Lake Maloney briefly gathered in the snow on Monday for a ribbon cutting before retreating indoors. The 1-mile project was privately funded and most of the money was gifted from the estate of Elizabeth and Robert Owens.

Organizers say they’ve been trying to build the trail for the past 11 years but multiple attempts to secure grants from the state didn’t work. They hope to begin the second phase of construction in the spring, which would extend the trail for another mile.