Syracuse Town Council approved accepting 6 1/2 acres of property if the Syracuse Park Foundation Board purchases it. The property is located at the end of Wildwood Drive and the Rotary Club had another potential purchaser.

Syracuse Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson and Bob Smith, president of the Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Charitable Foundation Inc., came before the council to explain the park foundation is willing to purchase the property, but not own it. It wished to donate the property to the town.

Jonsson said there is no plan to develop the property, the park foundation and Syracuse Park Board are looking at leaving the park as a space for nature type programming. He explained if there are any plans for developing the property, they are several years down the road.

Smith showed a schematic of the property showing how large the property was and potential uses. The Rotary originally purchased the property for a Scout cabin, but then built it elsewhere. He also noted the Rotary Club mowed the area about twice a year. Council President Brian Woody asked what the cost of maintenance would be. Jonsson said about $100 a month to just mow it. There would also be a minimal increase in insurance since the property has a pond on it.

Smith pointed out the town is looking to attract high tech companies with the new industrial park and those companies are looking for amenities such as a greenbelt.

“If you guys let this go, it’s just crazy,” Smith said. “I’m just a resident who’d like to see the trails and area developed.” Jonsson said in the warmer months a few picnic tables and trash cans may be set up.

“I hate to give up green space myself, that’s foolish,” Woody said.