Tampa is celebrating the grand opening of the Kennedy Boulevard Segment of the Tampa Riverwalk.

The Kennedy Boulevard Plaza Segment spans 1460 feet of water on the eastern side of the Hillsborough River, running underneath the Kennedy Boulevard Bridge.

The segment links MacDill Park to Curtis Hixson Waterfront Park and provides pedestrians and cyclists 1.8 miles of continuous, completed Riverwalk.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening.

"We have cities all over the country that are discovering that the very river that put them on the map is the river that's going to keep them on the map," said Peter Rogoff with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The idea for Riverwalk started in 1975 and it's taken six mayors all working on the area to make it happen.

They envisioned people walking, running and biking along the path right by the Hillsborough River.

Now those dreams are becoming a reality.

"This is a gift to the children of generations to come who will be able to enjoy this waterfront, who will be exposed to this waterfront, who will see the amazing expansion of this waterfront for the next 10, 15, 20 years," said Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

One member of that future generation said she is impressed.

"I like the water," said Savannah Curry.

Curry's dad, Jesse, brought her and her brother to see the new span.

"I think my favorite thing is that I'm not going to have to cross Kennedy on my bike anymore. It's a pretty dangerous intersection so I think that's going to be really pleasant," said Jesse Curry.

Other who work downtown said the expanding Riverwalk will help them combine business with pleasure.

"I like to exercise so after work I change into my workout clothes and I actually run the rest of the Riverwalk so now it's going to be nice that this final piece is finally open so I don't have to walk on across the street on Kennedy and can just go right under," said Clarisse Lafoste.

For those who were among the first to stroll on the new stretch, it was about the natural beauty.

"I love being by the water so this is definitely a good thing to add to the city," said Amelia Bonds.

They said it will add to Tampa's cultural corridor for years to come.