THE final section of the Connswater Community Greenway opened on Tuesday.
A new cycle and walkway and a footbridge was unveiled through Connswater Retail Park, once the location of the largest ropemaker in the world.
A plaque commemorating the old Belfast Ropeworks will be installed on the new bridge and the public will have the opportunity to vote for the name of the new bridge.
Wendy Langham, programme manager of the project, said: "The Connswater Community Greenway is set to transform east Belfast, improving the lives of many local people.
"As we officially open this final link, we look forward to the future and to watch how this amazing project will connect people and places for generations to come."
The final segment includes 400m of new cycle and walkway, a 20m span new footbridge, 600m of flood defences, street furniture including lighting, bins, benches and signage, landscaping works including semi-mature trees, bulb and shrub planting.
The route forms a 9km park alongside the Connswater, Knock and Loop rivers from the Castlereagh Hills to Belfast Lough.
It connects CS Lewis Square at Holywood Arches, the Hollow off the Beersbridge Road where the rivers converge, Mashwiggle Way and Cregagh Glen.
The project received £23.5 million from the Big Lottery Fund Living Landmark Programme, the largest award Big Lottery Fund has ever made in Northern Ireland.
Gerry Monaghan, manager of Connswater Shopping Centre and Retail Park, said: "It has been exciting to watch this 10-year project unfold and to see first-hand the positive impact it is already having on businesses in the area.
"The Greenway is a vital new connection for residents and visitors, providing much-improved access to businesses along route.
"It has already helped us to attract interest from new investors and we look forward to our continued work with EastSide Partnership to make east Belfast a prosperous and great place to live, work and invest."
