Officials held a ground-breaking ceremony nearly three years ago for the DeForest Wetlands restoration project. (File photo.)

Leaders will unveil a long-awaited project in North Long Beach Saturday: the restoration of 34 acres of land into a river parkway with freshwater wetlands, wildlife habitat and recreational trails.

The DeForest Park Wetlands, a project ongoing for about a decade, is part of work being done to restore the Los Angeles River.  Public uses will also include bird watching, walking, horseback riding, and educational tours and programs.

The project will allow more residents to “to connect with the LA River, experience our environment, and learn more about conservation,” Councilman Rex Richardson said in a prepared statement.

The project cost $8.5 million, paid for with county Proposition A Funds, contributions from the California Resources Agency, the California Coastal Conservancy and the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.

A ground-breaking was held nearly three years ago, and a ribbon cutting will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the park, 6255 DeForest Ave.

The public is invited to attend the grand opening ceremony of the DeForest Park Wetlands, located at 6255 DeForest Avenue. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held this Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 10 a.m.