Megan McClellan, executive director, hands Andrea Keller a treat for being named Volunteer of the Month at the Monday, Feb. 18 meeting of The Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)

SYRACUSE — The Conklin Bay project is “shovel ready,” the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee heard Monday evening, Feb. 18. Now, the committee is just waiting for the additional money to get the project started, possibly this year.

Megan McClellan, executive director, submitted an application for the Next Level Connections grant, the state trails grant program.

“We requested $1,018,267.00,” said McClellan.

The trail committee is using now Bloomerang, an outreach program for keeping track of the list of donors. McClellan is in the process of getting all the information into the right Excel format.

“It is not hard, just time consuming.” She asked if anyone could help her and one committee member agreed to assist in the process.

McClellan gave January’s treasurer’s report. Donations were $4,287.93 and expenses totalled $11,169. Expenses included $1,050 for a timer for the recent 5K run.

McClellan also gave January’s funds report. She said there is money left for future projects. She discussed grants she has applied for or received.

So far, 15 people have registered for next Tour des Lakes. The next planning meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20. Sponsors are needed and the deadline is May 31. The bike ride, a major fundraiser for the trails, will be Saturday, July 20.

Tour des Lakes planning meetings are at 5:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month, at the trail’s office.

The Couch to 5K begins Wednesday, May 8. The nine-week program will cost $45. Participants will meet at 5 p.m. every Wednesday. If someone attends six or more practices, that person gets free entry into the Fourth of July race in Winona Lake. Participants are asked to run once a week and twice on their own within a week. A new running coach will lead this year’s program.

A Universe of Stories, a book club and walk, begins May 18. The short walks will start at the community center. Other walks will be July 10, Aug. 3 and Sept. 25. Pre-registration is preferred. Call the library or the trails office.

Volunteer of the Month is Andrea Keller. Keller and McClellan met with Gov. Eric Holcomb last month and discussed the trail project.

“It was a really productive trip,” said McClellan.

McClellan and Keller attended the South Bend Chamber of Commerce’s annual luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 12. The speaker was Gov. Holcomb. After the event, McClellan was able to speak with the governor and discuss the Syracuse-Wawasee trails and the Next Level Grant application.

The committee also discussed creating a trail maintenance plan. Work is needed along the Syracuse Lake trail and along Eli Lilly Road’s trail. The group discussed contacting a high school student, who needs to do some community service.

The new trails subcommittee meeting is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the Syracuse Pizza Hut to start prioritizing future construction projects.

McClellan is attending the International Trail Symposium April 26 to May 3, Syracuse, N.Y. The bike rodeo is May 4, and she requested volunteers.

The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, March 18, at the trails office.