SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee has received $34,500 in grants from the Greenways Foundation of Indiana and two grants from the Kosciusko County Convention Recreation and Visitor’s Commission.

This has been a great start to the year for the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee, said Megan McClellan, executive director for the trails.

The Greenways Foundation of Indiana gave its first-ever donation to the trails. The foundation is supporting the planning and design of the Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail with a $2,000 grant. Kosciusko County Convention Recreation and Visitors Commission will also be supporting the design of this section of trail with a $25,000 grant.

“Finishing the planning and design work for the Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail is a high priority for the trails committee this year. That way, once the funds for construction are raised, we can get right to building,” said McClellan.

When completed, this section of trail will create a safe, off-road route for walkers and bikers between Grandview Drive and Syracuse. This section will not only connect people to each other, but also to the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Education Center at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation. This beautiful, new greenway will attract tourists to the area and give them more things to do, encouraging them to stay longer.

Kosciusko County Convention Recreation and Visitors Commission will also be supporting the trail’s outreach efforts with a $7,500 grant for its newsletters and brochures.

For more information, visit its website, syracusewawaseetrails.com, to sign up for the quarterly newsletter. To keep up to date on the latest trail happenings “like” them 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 coordinate the planning, construction and maintenance of local trails located on city and county property.

The Greenways Foundation of Indiana is a statewide, charitable trust providing leadership and advocacy in the growth and use of Indiana greenways and trails. Consider purchasing the Greenways Foundation license plate to show support for all types of trails in Indiana.