CHELSEA, MI -- Cyclists and fans of outdoor recreation have a new trail to blaze at Waterloo State Recreation Area.

The DTE Energy Foundation Trail opened Thursday, June 16, the first of five new mountain bike loops totaling 20 miles-worth of trail. The project was a partnership between primary donors DTE Energy, the Potawatomi Mountain Bike Association and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

A small ribbon-cutting ceremony opened the trail Thursday morning, featuring speeches from project managers, Chelsea city officials, Michigan state Rep. Gretchen Driskell and Michigan state Sen. John Hune.

The new loop is approximately 5 miles long, described as a flow trail by Jason Aric Jones, trail project chair of the Potawatomi Mountain Bike Association.

"It's a modern, bike-optimized trail, so it's not only sustainable, but offers a fun, roller coaster experience for the user," Jones said.

The trail head begins at 17817 N. MI State Road 52 (Stockbridge-Chelsea Road). DNR and Potawatomi plan on adding four more 5-mile loops to Waterloo Recreation Area by 2020, completing the 20-mile project scope.

In total, the trail project will cost more than $250,000, Jones said. DTE Energy Foundation provided the largest share of project funding through a $255,000 grant.

Faye Nelson, DTE's vice president and chair of the Energy Foundation, said her company was proud to have its name associated with the trail project.

"I think this is very important from an environmental standpoint," Nelson said. "Being an environmental steward is very important for an energy company like DTE. We were so impressed with the plans, the retention of the natural habitat and how the trail would be maintained."

That's why they were so willing to attach the DTE name, in addition to funding, Nelson said. The economic impact was another reason for the foundation to jump on board.

Nelson said the Michigan Department of Transportation estimates cycling tourism and recreation brought $670 million into the economy in 2014. She hopes the DTE Energy Foundation Trail will help the Chelsea-area economy.

Potawatomi bikers took to the trail after the ceremony, twisting and turning along the sloping track. More experienced riders caught air off of jumps, pulling tricks and zipping faster each wheelie.

Jones said it took nearly 15 years for the Potawatomi Mountain Bike Association to get a single trail at Waterloo. Having five in the next four years is more than he could have hoped for.

"It feels fantastic," he said. "It's the light at the end of tunnel. We're very happy to provide the people of Michigan with this kind of recreational experience."