By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend Hike & Bike path includes approximately six miles
that starts from the west side of town, angles south over Railroad Avenue and
then follows the Arkansas River east.
Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis said there have been talks for
years of extending the trail from the west point and bringing it north around
the city.
With collections coming in now from the .15% sales tax designated for “quality
of life” projects, extending the trail is getting closer to reality. Francis
mentioned the overall project would still likely be stretched over a
three-year period.
"We'll see it spread out over three years because it will cost some money," said Francis. "If we could get some money set aside as matching funds for grants, it might help us to get the project done quicker. I could see it being done in segments. It would be hard to knock out a large amount."
Francis added the goal would be to take the path north, near the cemetery on 24th
Street and have bicyclists and hikers go through Veterans Memorial Park.
The city has already been saving funds to make repairs to the existing path and
possible expansion. The 10-year capital improvement plan from the “quality of
life” sales tax lists giving $50,000 toward the project in 2024, $190,000 in
2025 and $110,000 in 2026.