SYRACUSE — The Syracuse-Webster Road trail project is moving along, the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard at its meeting Monday evening, Jan. 29.

Kosciusko County Highway Department has given preliminary approval for this trail section, including moving the trail next to the road and curbing it in order to avoid the arbor vitae. Megan McClellan, trail director, is in the process of meeting with homeowners along this section. She is also organizing a community meeting.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee will be constructing the trail along Syracuse-Webster Road from Wawasee High School, south to Brooke Point Inn. Before construction begins, a community meeting will be held to discuss the benefits, the route and to answer residents’ questions. This meeting will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the Syracuse Community Center.

A starting date for the project depends on funding, said McClellan. There’s no estimate of the cost of the project as of yet.

Kosciusko County Community Foundation has granted $10,000 toward the Conklin Bay project. McClellan said, “We will know if we are finalists for the Indiana Office of Tourism Development grant Thursday, Feb. 1. A decision will be made in March if it is granted.” McClellan said it’s a matching grant with K21 Foundation matching $200,000.

There are still driveway improvements and an easement in the works. McClellan has contacted attorney Steve Snyder regarding an easement between Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and the Syracuse Park Foundation.

McClellan is working with Mary Haberman, GIS coordinator for the city of Warsaw, to update the trail map to include trails owned and operated by other organizations, such as the Wawasee Community School Corporation and WACF. Other parts of the brochure will be updated as well.

Dr. Tom Edington gave the treasurer’s report for November and December. There were $5,075 in donations and $4,281.65 in expenses for November. December donations totaled $85,275.98, of which $71,852.49 were for the Conklin Bay project. Expenses totaled $8,723.59.

McClellan gave the financial year in review for 2017. There was $288,509.74 raised with $1,431.87 in interest. Expenses were $126,861.68. “We are still waiting for $7,664.42 in reimbursements,” McClellan said. There’s $44,046 remaining in a Dekko Grant match. The matching grant is still active, she said. As for the 2018 budget, McClellan said, “I’ve increased our outreach.”

There were 49 runners at the Winter Warm-up 5K last weekend. This is up 31 runners from last year. All advertising and a timer were paid for by a grant. Most of the food was donated. The total income was $810.

The potential for bike rentals along the trail was discussed. Zagster, a bike rental company, supplies 20 bikes for the Warsaw-Winona Lake area, said Dr. Erick Leffler, board member. “They use corporate sponsors,” he said of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.

“I think we need to pursue it,” said Chairman Kay Young.

Funding from the bike rentals will help maintain the trail system. A three-year contract is required, and the cost is $1,800 per year, per bike. Locations for the bike rack were discussed, with the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex as one site.

Volunteer of the Month is Lyle Schrock since he helped with the Winter Warm-Up 5K run and the Couch to 5K program.

The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at the trail’s office.