SYRACUSE — The Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation has given a generous donation to the trails.

“The Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee is extremely grateful to the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation for their generous donation of a $250,000 to the trail system,” said Megan McClellan, executive director.

This donation is not for any specific project or trail section. This allows the committee to determine how it can be used most effectively to connect the community through a safe and attractive non-motorized transportation route.

The trails committee is currently working on several major projects, including safe routes to school for the area’s children and the Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail. There are several small gaps in the trail system that need to be filled to increase the safety for kids as they move through the community, especially along SR 13 and over the railroad tracks. When completed, the Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail will create a safe, off-road route for walkers and bikers between Grandview Drive and the town of Syracuse.

This section will not only connect people to each other, but also to WACF’s Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Education Center, which has more than three miles of trails through its 40 acres of wooded wetlands.

“This donation is exceptional and will allow the trails to grow even further, but the trails committee still needs help,” said McClellan. “If any of these projects inspires you, or you have an inspiring idea that we have not yet discussed, we would love to have you join us at our monthly meeting.”

Meetings are at 6 p.m. the third Monday of each month, at the Syracuse Community Center. Volunteers could help plan where new trails will go, help to organize events, or focus on schools.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, there is no better time, said McClellan. Between now and Dec. 31, the Laudeman family has agreed to match individual, unrestricted donations. A $100 donation will be worth $200 of trail. In order to make a donation, visit the trail’s website at syracusewawaseetrails.com where one can donate online or print off a donation slip that can be mailed with a check. While there, sign up for the quarterly newsletter and “Like” it on Facebook.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee is part of the Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit foundation. The committee is a volunteer advisory group helping to coordinate the planning, construction and maintenance of local trails located on city and county property.