Board members of the Syracuse Parks Foundation assembled Thursday evening to hear updates on projects by the Syracuse Parks Department and the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee.

In a brief session, Dr. Tom Edington addressed the board with details about the trails project along Harkless Road. Edington reported the trail is near completion “coming in under budget.” There are a couple of small sections unfinished that require assistance by NIPSCO. The chairman said, “There were a few issues with utility equipment,” adding “we will get NIPSCO back and take a look at some other options.”

Edington added a note of appreciation for the cooperative efforts by Pulver Asphalt for accommodating the needs of homeowners living adjacent to the trail. Explaining “The contractors did a good job funneling water to drains and working well with homeowners to correct issues that people had.”

In response to a matter related with a recent absence by the foundation’s authorized signatory, the board approved a motion by Dick Pelletier who motioned to add a second and third signatory for the foundation. Edington and Chad Jonsson were named to act as foundation signatories.

Jonsson presented the committee with the parks and recreation recommended quote for the construction of a new pavilion at Lakeside Park. Jonsson explained the $25,275 cost for the new construction would be covered with a $10,000 grant and the available balance in the parks funds with the approval of the foundation board. The members approved the request to use the park funds to cover the remaining cost of the pavilion. The grant mentioned was awarded to the Syracuse Parks Department by the Kenneth and Lela Harkless Foundation in December of 2014.

The park superintendent advised the members the pavilion is currently rented for private use until July 12. The expected start date for demolition and removal of the old pavilion is July 13.

Before adjournment Jonsson added tentatively the pavilion would be expected to be completed within six weeks. However, with cooperation from Mother Nature and if there are no unexpected problems, the pavilion could be finished much sooner.