Gary Shell. Staff Photo BY Chris Mazzolini / WILMINGTON STAR NEWS

Here’s the full question:

When will the city honor Gary Shell, the name sake for the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail, and correctly identify the name of the trail on its signage and in promotional materials for the trail?

Here’s the answer:

The Cross-City Trail officially was dedicated the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail in a ceremony held on Dec. 13, 2010 at Empie Park.

“All trail marker signs purchased since that time, for newly constructed portions of the trail, bear the name Gary Shell Cross-City Trail.  As the older trail marker signs that do not contain Gary Shell’s name are in need of replacement due to age and condition, they will be replaced with the new signs,” said Malissa Talbert, spokeswoman for the city of Wilmington.

The official name is used on all promotional and informational material related to the trail, Talbert said.

Gary Shell was the former city of Wilmington Director of Parks & Recreation and was the Deputy Director of Community Services at the time of his retirement in late 2007. He had been employed by the city for 22 years. After retiring, he pursued a lifelong dream to hike the Appalachian Trail.

According to information from the city, Shell’s goal was to improve the availability and quality of parks and recreational programs. He was instrumental in the development and passing of the 2006 Parks and Greenspace Bond.

Shell died on May 12, 2011 after a battle with cancer.

http://www.myreporter.com/?p=11929 Who’s responsible for maintaining the Cross-City Trail?

http://www.myreporter.com/?p=6563 What’s happening with The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act projects involving the Cross-City Trail and Randall Parkway?

http://www.myreporter.com/?p=10240 Why does the Cross-City Trail cross Independence Boulevard twice?

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Date posted: March 13, 2012

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