Dozens turn out for Dave Belew Trail dedication

Hamilton section of Great Miami trail named for ‘driving force’ behind it.

HAMILTON — More than 100 attended the Friday dedication of the honorary naming of the Dave Belew Trail.

The trail was formally given the honorary naming in November when City Council approved a resolution, recognizing the man who many have said was the “driving force” for Hamilton’s section of the Great Miami River Trail.

“May we all follow Dave Belew’s trail in life and in recreation,” said Mayor Pat Moeller during the ceremony at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, near one of the trailheads that now bears a sign marking the trail’s honorary name.

Belew, 92, said he was “deeply humbled” by the recognition.

“I find it hard to find the right words because I feel very undeserving of all this, but, boy is it swell,” he said. “Maybe we ought to have more trails.”

Belew, who spent decades on the board of directors at the Hamilton Community

Foundation, was the chairman during the organization’s 50th anniversary nearly a quarter century ago. Instead of having a party to celebrate the milestone year, he led the charge to give the city of Hamilton six gifts, one of which was the trail expansion.

“We wanted to do something for the community,” he previously told the Journal-News.

The Dave Belew Trail runs from Joyce Park to Rentschler Forest MetroPark and is part of of the Great Miami River Trail, which goes over 90 miles from Waterworks Park in Fairfield to the rear of Graceland Cemetery in Sidney. The GMRT is part of the larger Miami Valley Regional Trail network, which provides access to more than 350 miles of paved trails.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL D. PITMAN / STAFF The Hamilton Community Foundation and the city of Hamilton honored Dave Belew, known by many as Mr. Hamilton, with a ceremony Friday afternoon that formally dedicated the portion of the Great Miami River Trail in the city with his name. Belew, 92, was the driving force behind getting the trail built in the city. Pictured is Belew, a musician himself, listening to a contingent of the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra play some of his favorite music.

Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller talks during Friday’s ceremony about Belew’s accomplishments.