Park Department Gearing Up For Arbor Day
Jerry Riffle, Syracuse Tree Board representative, reported to the Syracuse Park Board 10 trees have been planted, several of them are prairie fire crabapple trees and the Arbor Day celebration will be held April 26 in Henry Ward Park. Riffle made his report during the regular monthly meeting of the park board Monday night.
Riffle reported during this year’s Arbor Day celebration students from Syracuse Elementary School will be doing tree identification, measuring trees, going online to determine their value as well as how much carbon dioxide they absorb and how much oxygen they give off.
Town of Syracuse has received its 13th consecutive Tree City USA award and 10th Growth Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported work is progressing quickly on Northshore and Eastshore drives to complete the Syracuse Lake trail. A meeting will be held with Northshore residents Thursday to discuss drainage issues.
The county commissioners have agreed to be the applicant on an Indiana Department of Transportation grant for the SR 13 section. A draft of the grant is due at the Michiana Council of Governments, working with the trail committee, by April 28 and the final version of the grant is due at INDOT May 12. The grant is for a section of trail running from the Sleepy Owl north to the town limits.
A workday will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex Saturday. Jonsson reported benches need to be moved and a few other things done. Middlebury Electric will mark locations and stage the light poles for installation next week.
The park department is also looking at installing a walking trail around the ball diamonds. Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee has donated $5,000 to the project, expected to cost around $10,000.
The town has received a grant for cleanup work on the ditch just west of the ball park.
Most of the repair work from the Nov. 17 storm has been done. There was $9,100 in damages. Insurance paid $7,200.
Park staff and the Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club are working on a flower bed in Henry Ward Park. NIPSCO has also donated trees to be part of the garden. Concrete planters from the fire department have been moved to the community center where they will be painted and used this summer.
A rock has been found for the Blue Star Highway plaque when it arrives.
Jonsson has received drawings for the proposed expansion of the fitness room. He is also working on a K21 Foundation grant, due May 1, to help fund the project.
Park staff are working with AIA to install a lighthouse on a wall in the community center to list donors who have given money for equipment or programs.
There is no update on the pavilion renovation.
In the program report, Tyler McLead, program coordinator, reported approximately 80 middle school students participated in the night Easter egg hunt, Friday, while 200 to 250 children participated in the egg hunt Saturday. There are plans to offer more activities next year.
The second annual Safety Day will be May 3 with a variety of activities including a self defense class from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This will be a more involved class than the one held in March. There is a fee to participate.
The Farmers and Artisans Market opens for the season from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10. The park board also looked at an addition for the park sign noting it is the home of the market.
Wawasee Kiwanis Club will have its annual cruise-in from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 16 with Big Daddy Dupree performing. There will be family and youth activities. Cruisin ‘Cuse Car Show will be Saturday, May 17. Registration will be 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with judging at 2:30 p.m.
McLead is also working on an adult co-ed softball league for later this summer as well as a canoeing program.