Soon enough, Atlantans will be able to cruise from Piedmont Park all the way to Memorial Drive without leaving the Beltline.

Last month, Beltline officials said the Eastside Trail extension linking Kirkwood Avenue to Memorial Drive was about 85 percent complete. (A Beltline spokeswoman said that leg of the trail should be pedestrian-ready in coming months; December rain slowed the progress.)

And today, a small but mightily important stretch of path connecting Edgewood and DeKalb avenues—where Old Fourth Ward meets Inman Park—is officially open.

Looming over the newly paved path is the Edge mixed-use development, which will ultimately have 350 apartments and 27,000 square feet of retail offerings.

Edge developer North American Properties has also brought a smattering of unique public art to this new part of the path. (Also new: a trailside palm tree).

Take a look at these exclusive photos below.