NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — What used to be called the GVI trail in Hutchinson will now be named for a Hutchinson bicycling enthusiast.
"The official name we're asking for is the Bob Helfrich, "Bad Bobby" Memorial Trail," said Justin Combs, Director of Parks and Facilities. "A little bit about the trail itself, it's 3.8 miles. All of our trails and parks are officially named in Chapter 13 of the City Code, where it has the name and the short description. This trail's never been added to it. GVI stands for Grand View Interceptor, which is the name of the ditch that runs next to it. Just to be clear, this is a naming and not a renaming of the trail."
There is also a planned trailhead on North Plum.
"It's a little over half an acre," Combs said. "We've been working with Jim Strawn who owns the property. He's graciously agreed to donate the property to the city for the trailhead that's in the budget in 2024. It is acting as a trailhead at the moment, so it's just kind of an unimproved gravel lot with a gravel entry. This would be one of the primary areas that we would have signage with the name, as well as most likely a plaque, kind of honor the legacy of Bob."
The city plans to have a concrete parking lot and a gazebo on the Plum trailhead. The naming passed with each of the four present members voting for it.
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