Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee met Monday, Nov. 16, and mainly discussed the Conklin Bay trail section. It also heard of a big donation from the Lilly family foundation.

Dave Weadock from Earth Source Inc. was present and took questions. He said the maps of the project are about 50 percent complete, but are good enough to use for final permitting from Indiana Department of Transportation and Department of Natural Resources. He also said they will be boring dirt samples to tell how deep the piers on the boardwalk will have to go. Once it knows how deep the piers need to go, it should be able to give the committee an estimate of the construction cost.

Also, Ginny Lilly Nicholas, on behalf of her family and the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation, has given a $250,000 donation to the Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation, with the restriction it be used for the Syracuse-Wawasee trails project. It is not, however, restricted to a particular trail project.

“We have not, however, received many donations towards the matching grant, provided by the Laudeman Family that only lasts until Dec. 31,” according to Executive Director Megan McClellan. So far, only received $60 has been received for October. The Laudeman family will match up to $25,000 on unrestricted donations.

Several trail projects were discussed. On the Syracuse Lake portion of the trail, Mike Thompson has replaced the section of trail on Northshore and McClellan has not heard of any further drainage concerns.

As far as the Conklin Bay fundraising efforts, $55,981 is still needed. “We received the Kosciusko County Community Foundation grant for $10,000,” said McClellan, who has applied for other grants, too, totaling $27,500 that are currently pending.

As far as the Pickwick and SR 13 crossing, she said, “We are still awaiting the bid from ESI for the architectural drawings.”

McClellan has contacted Brooke Pointe Inn and they do not intend to build their trail section until 2017 at the earliest.
As far as the Eli Lilly widening project, McClellan said, “We are now only $6,500 dollars short of the Pulver bid.” Construction will start in the spring. There is $31,350 in donations to be used toward the Eli Lilly trail widening project.

A potential trail/sidewalk to the new Syracuse Elementary School was discussed. One route is along Kern Road and the other is from Syracuse-Webster Road to Kern Road, between the high school’s tennis courts and the parking lot. Either proposed route would be 1,200 feet.

McClellan gave the funds report, ending in October. There is $59,435.38 available in the general fund. She also discussed the 2016 budget, which she is currently working on. The expected income is $150,000 in donations and $100,000 in grants.

Chad Jonsson was named Volunteer of the Month. Kay Young has been nominated to be vice-chairman and Tom Edington to be the treasurer. The new fall newsletter is done and available online or at several businesses.
The December meeting has been canceled. The next meeting is in January.