Park Board Receives Wawasee Kiwanis Donation
SYRACUSE — Syracuse Park Board met Monday evening, Aug. 13. The meeting started with the board accepting an equipment donation by the Wawasee Kiwanis Club. Matt Ringler, representing the Kiwanis Club, stated there was no longer a need for the tractor and decided to donate it to the parks department.
Jerry Riffle and Parks Superintendent Chad Jonsson went around to look at all the parks Tuesday, Aug. 14, in search of hazardous and defective trees. Riffle described a hazard tree as a defective tree with a target to cause damage on, such as a fence, a car or a house. Having visited other lake areas and seeing the damage hazard trees had caused on local homes, he took the initiative to ensure that doesn’t occur in the Syracuse community.
Jonsson commented there have been more pavilion rentals due to the new restrooms being much more accessible and nicer.
The 2019 park budget has been presented to the town council, which didn’t raise any questions from council members.
A few weeks ago, David Johnston discussed turning the current community center sign into an LED sign with Jonsson. The sign would be similar to the ones at the schools. Both met with Premier Signs to receive paperwork and information regarding the potentially new sign, which would cost $30,000.
Mary Hursh interjected with how effective the Syracuse Public Library’s sign is due to the many different ongoing and upcoming programs. The digital sign will be able to display various events and activities that will be going on at the community center, parks and historical museum. There was a brief comment on how the sign may potentially be donated.
Jonsson addressed the outdated community center phone system. With Darin Lursen taking over as the program director, it came to Jonsson’s attention the outgoing extension could not be changed from Tyler McLead’s name. Jonsson is sifting through options for an updated system, which will be affordable thanks to the money set aside for new equipment in the budget.
Judo and pickleball still continue on a weekly basis along with the artisan and farmers market.
Board members inquired about the lower number of vendors this year. Some vendors had moved while others had stopped coming due to health issues. The amount of shoppers has stayed consistent. The board and parks department will look into new ways of attracting more vendors.
The Syracuse Kids Olympics welcomes kids in grades K to five at 10 a.m. Aug. 25, at the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex. Kids must be checked in by 9:45 a.m. Registration is open at the community center or participants can register the day of. The fee will be $5 per child.
A fly fishing class for beginners and advanced will be from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 15, at Lakeside Park. There is a $15 fee, which can be brought the day of the class and given to instructor Charlie Ray. Paul Newcomer, who has spent 14 years fishing, said he learned a lot from the class he took a few years ago. Equipment will be provided but participants are welcome to bring their own.
The next park board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 10, at the community center.