Paul Newcomer, left, park board member and president, and Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, discuss several items of business at Monday night’s park board meeting. The board met at Ward Park in Syracuse. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board met at Henry Ward Park Monday evening, Aug. 12. It is one of several Syracuse parks the board is meeting at this year.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, gave an update on some of the recently-completed projects at Ward Park. He showed the new playground and new pavilion. Also new benches were installed at the park. New trash cans have been ordered. An extended walkway was added, which goes along the boardwalk. The park is wheelchair accessible, he said.

Jonsson said he would like to add eight to 10 parking spots at Ward Park and repave the parking area. He said he will request the parking area be repaved when he attends the town council meeting this month.

A new donor plaque has been put up as well as a reservation board for those who wish to use the pavilion, which has four picnic tables. The bathrooms have been redone, too.

“It’s a really nice park,” said Kip Schumm, park board member.

In other news, Jonsson gave the tree board report. He said eight trees will be removed in town and are marked with pink Xs.

“We are finishing our planting list for the fall,” he said, adding it will be sometime in October when plantings occur.

Jonsson gave an overview of facility and park projects and each of the projects’ plans.

“I’d like to do one or two projects at each park,” he said.

Projects include a small play area at Lakeside Park, a picnic pavilion at Schrock Athletic Complex, a dog park and, in the future, developing a splash pad at one of the parks.

His explained the 2025 requests for quotes for various services. These include an HVAC professional for Syracuse Community Center, lawn care professional and an irrigation professional. He will send out letters for a request of quotes, which each park board member reviewed and approved.

Jonsson gave the program report. He said 400 bike riders attended Tour des Lakes last month. The Rotary Club has taken over the event for next year, he noted.

The Artisan Market has had 15 vendors on average. There’s three weeks left of the market, plus Harvest Fest.

Syracuse Fall Harvest Festival is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Lakeside Park. The festival will feature several fall-themed activities, including hay rides, pumpkin decorating, bounce house obstacle course, games, animals, food vendors and more.

The parks department is offering new fitness classes, such as strength training. A new yoga class will be at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, at SCC.

A euchre tournament is at 6 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 16, at SCC; pre-registration is required. A family camp out night is Friday, Sept. 6 to Saturday, Sept. 7.

The fall indoor garage sale is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at Syracuse Community Center. Registration starts at 4 p.m. Sept. 4.

Jonsson gave the financial report from July 8 to Aug. 12 and July’s financial report.

The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at Schrock Fields.