Park Board Plans Perennial Projects
SYRACUSE — Syracuse Park Board met at its regular time Monday evening, Nov. 13. The meeting was spent reviewing the master plan, future projects and completed projects.
The projects that had been talked about for the past few months, such as putting down mulch at Crosson Mill Park and Henry Ward Park, playground repairs at Lakeside Park, installing a new air conditioning unit and fixing a parking lot, have all been completed. As the year comes to an end, much of the funds have gone to the completed projects though there are still funds left for December programs.
Pat Brown, SiteScapes, gave the board the completed priority list for 2018 to 2023 and beyond. Each year held a total of three projects based on priorities with one major project per year. The completed layout and breakdown of projects for each year was easy to understand and see how doable each project was. Since the list goes into the future it’s flexible to work with and makes it easy to plan future funding.
This plan would be flexible enough to move projects around if one suddenly became a higher priority and help if unforeseen circumstances arise in the future. Carol Koble commented she thinks the plan is the best thing that’s come out of everything.
The next step will be for Brown and Parks Superintendent Chad Jonsson to develop a three-year budget. Brown also presented the draft of the preventative maintenance plan. While it’s a work in progress the plan will not only keep the department on top of keeping everything in good condition, it will let the town council know what will be happening in the future. The maintenance plan will be more adapted for the next meeting with the board.
Jerry Riffle questioned Jonsson on how the drainage at Henry War Park was improved. Jonsson replied they added gravel under the mulch of the playground so it wouldn’t sit in collected water. The gravel acts as a base where the water can seep through, not harming the mulch. Unfortunately the playground sits in a valley where water runs down, which was why something needed to be done quickly. While it isn’t perfect there are plans for improvement in the future, which may include moving the playground to a different location.
Restrooms at Lakeside Park are being slowly taken down. The new restrooms are planned to be as maintenance and hands free as possible with automatic lighting, sinks and hand dryers.
Continuing programs include judo and pickleball at their regular times. The final Pinterest Party will be Dec. 11, where participants will be painting wood snowmen at $15 per person.
Registration for the adult basketball league is open until Jan. 2. It is $275 per team with a 10 team maximum. The opening date is Jan. 7.
Letters to Santa will be collected in the community center lobby until Dec. 2. Breakfast with Santa will be from 8 to 11 a.m. Dec. 2, at the community center. There will be a letter writing station, a breakfast of sausage and pancakes free to children and $3 for adults, pictures with Santa, a craft, cookies and milk and a performance from 9 to 10 a.m. by the Wawasee High School Christmas band. Santa’s responses will be delivered the week of Dec. 11.
Free movie night will show “Despicable Me 3” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15.