Sandcastle has given permission to two groups of PNC Legacy Trail bicyclists to ride through its property today.

And, if an agreement can be reached between the owner of Sandcastle and Allegheny County, a half-mile portion of the water park will be open to the public as part of the Great Allegheny Passage. The passage is a 150-mile nonmotorized, multipurpose trail that extends -- almost -- from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Md., where it joins the 182.5-mile long C&O Canal Towpath to Washington, D.C.

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Kennywood/Sandcastle President Peter J. McAneny said in a joint news release yesterday that they have made "significant progress" to accommodate the trail through Sandcastle property.

Mr. McAneny had been opposed to the trail, primarily because of liability concerns.

"We have made significant progress on the critical issues of liability for accidents, safety and the allocation of the property available to accommodate both a trail and the Sandcastle entrance road," Mr. Onorato said.

He said the goal is to allow the trail to go through Sandcastle "in a way that will benefit users of both the trail and the water park."

"That's fantastic news," said Linda McKenna Boxx, president of the Allegheny Trail Alliance, a coalition of seven rail-trail organizations that is building and/or maintaining the passage. "We're thrilled that Mr. McAneny has had a change of heart."

"I want to thank Pete McAneny, Kennywood Entertainment and [its new owner] Parques Reunidos for working with me to arrive at a solution that will enable us to complete the Great Allegheny Passage," Mr. Onorato said.

Mr. Onorato said the alignment of the trail hasn't been determined.

And when might an agreement be reached? That might be "weeks or months away," said Kevin Evanto, Mr. Onorato's spokesman.

Completion of the passage is one of the signature projects of Pittsburgh 250, a celebration of the city's naming by Gen. John Forbes and Col. George Washington in 1758.

The PNC Legacy Trail bicyclists who will pedal through Sandcastle today are part of that celebration. One group left Washington, D.C., last Saturday; a group of relay cyclists riding segments of 20 to 40 miles each departed at noon yesterday. The final relay team is scheduled to arrive at noon today in Point State Park.

They will be met by two groups of community trail riders who will join them on the Hot Metal Bridge and at the PNC Firstside Center, Downtown. All the bicyclists will ride down the Boulevard of the Allies to the park.