SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee recently received a $100,000 grant from the Dekko Foundation, as well the opportunity of $100,000 more in matching funds.

Planning for the Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail has been progressing slowly during the past two years, but things are speeding up now. All the permits are in place and the trail committee is ready to bid the project as soon as sufficient funds are raised.

The preliminary cost estimate for this section is $1.7 million. That includes construction, oversight and a small maintenance fund. So far, the trails committee has raised more than $215,000 through a donation by the Miller Family Foundation, as well as many smaller, individual donations. Just this month, the committee was awarded $100,000 from the Dekko Foundation in a direct grant. The Dekko Foundation has also offered to match donations from individuals and businesses dollar-for-dollar up to another $100,000.

In its letter, the Dekko Foundation noted, “Our research into child development shows us that children need the opportunity to build a strong bond with their community. It seems that the trail will allow children to be more connected to community amenities. It will also allow for families to create solid bonds.”

This trail will not only safely connect people to the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and communities further south on Lake Wawasee, but it will be a destination in its own right. On WACF’s property, trail users will be able to access the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Education Center and three miles of trails featuring stunning views of wetlands, wooded areas and lakeshore. While on the boardwalk, walkers and bikers can expect to see a wide variety of birds and plant life found only in northern Indiana wetlands.

“Once the Dekko Foundation grant is matched, we will have over half a million dollars and be well on our way to construction,” said Megan McClellan, trails director.

To donate to this or any project on the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails, donations can be mailed to: Syracuse Community Center, 1043 N. Long Drive, Syracuse, IN 46567. People can also donate online through the trail’s secure website, syracusewawaseetrails.com, where people can also sign up for the quarterly newsletter.

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