Members of the Syracuse Park Board continued their tours of Syracuse parks by holding their regular monthly meeting in the concession stand at the Harold Schrock Sports Complex.
Shown from left are Carol Koble, Jeff Nicodemus, Paul Newcomer and Kip Schumm. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Park Board learned the parks will be very busy this fall during its regular meeting Monday night, Sep. 9. The meeting was held at the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported Phillip Tree Services has been selected to remove two trees from Hoy’s Beach and one tree from Lakeside Park. The tree in Lakeside Park will be replaced. Jonsson said he wasn’t sure what the trees at Hoy’s Beach would be replaced with.

The tree removal is expected to be done before the end of the year.

The town tree board is also working on a fall planting list.

Jonsson provided an update on the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex. He is looking at whether soccer and some pickleball courts can be added to the complex. Jonsson told the board he is working on quotes for pickleball courts and K21 Foundation funds may be available to help defray the costs.

Fall football has played two games at the complex so far. The season will run through mid-October.

Jonsson answered several questions regarding field conditions. He reported the fields were doing well despite the lack of rain. He’s also working well with the youth league on maintaining the fields.

The parking lot at Henry Ward Park made the Town of Syracuse’s fall paving list and is expected to be done sometime in October. Along with being repaved, some additional parking spaces will also be added.

The park board decided to have an official opening of Ward Park next spring.

Last month after inquiries about using Celebration Hall for fitness classes, a schedule has been established. Jonsson told the board there are classes scheduled just about every day of the week now.

The Family Campout held in Lakeside Park Sept 6-7 went well. Approximately 25 people participated. Jonsson said he’s looking at possibly revamping the event. One suggestion was to offer families the option of enjoying the activities such as the campfire and movie and not spend the night camping in the park.

Jonsson reported there were six booths available for the indoor garage sale which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12.

The annual Harvest Fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. Typically Harvest Fest has about 35 vendors participating. Several have already signed up for the event.

Saturday, Oct. 26, will be busy for park staff as they will host a trick or treat trail from 1-3 p.m. at Lakeside Park and then from 6:30-9 p.m. host the Haunted Trail at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation.

Euchre returns to the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive on Sept. 20. Already 32 people have signed up to play.

Jonsson is working with the Wawasee Student Council on the Homecoming parade which will be Monday, Sept. 23.

Board member Kip Schumm asked if anything could be done regarding the rubber mulch which gets kicked out of the planters. Jonnson said they have tried mulch glue to address the problem.

The Syracuse Park Board will have its October meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Lakeside Park, 1010 N. Long Drive.