Phase III of the Sawnee Mountain Preserve passive park is now open in Forsyth County following a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 29.

The new addition to the park is accessible at 2505 Bettis Tribble Gap Road north of downtown Cumming and features more than six miles of hiking trails, two picnic pavilions, a playground and restrooms.

The $2.3 million expansion was financed through a 1-cent SPLOST sales tax and a 2008 parks bond issue. The park first opened in 2005.