Getting The Overall Idea For Laudeman Park
SYRACUSE — Syracuse Park Board congregated Monday evening, June 10, to extensively discuss the conceptual idea for Laudeman Park. While the placement of park features such as picnic tables, a shelter and a play area, won’t be set in stone, the board determined what the park will have in order to begin the request for funds.
The designs Heather Harwood had drawn in 2016 were placed next to the design Pat Brown had put together recently as the board looked for an opportunity to combine the aspects of what they liked.
“This would just be an idea that we can use to help develop the park,” stated Chad Jonsson, parks superintendent. “If a grant becomes available for park development, we would need to show something to say that this is our idea for this park. Will it get built this way? It might just be about 75% or 50% like the drawing when we’re done.
“We get to play with it as we go. It’s more about what we want in the park and where, but we can move something if we want. It’s a moving project.”
Jeff Nicodemus inquired how much usage would be expected from Laudeman Park due to the park’s “out of the way” location. Jonsson responded it would essentially be a neighborhood park. Dave VanLue added the park could serve as another direction trail walkers could venture to.
Looking between the plans, Mary Hursh commented she liked the screen planting included in Harwood’s drawings, as it would provide a bit of privacy for neighbors.
“I question the need for two trails — one around the park and one around the pond,” said Hursh. “Maybe we just need one. Maybe there can be something that could lead to the pond area where someone could sit and look at the pond instead.”
Defining the walking path first would provide the parks department with a better idea of how the park would be used. In implementing a temporary walking path by mowing the grass lower, it can be decided how the path should change before it’s finalized. It would also bring a little more attention as development continues in the future.
The board agreed once the trail is in place, it should be easier to garner a natural feel of where other features should go.
Jonsson will propose the changes and concerns to Brown and will work on getting cost estimates of the two paths, the shelter and other ideas for Laudeman Park.
Dylan Schaefer, the summer intern, shared an Instagram account for the parks department was started to share photos, reminders and events. Follow syracuse_parksandrec on Instagram.
The next park board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 10.
School lunches at Lakeside Park will be served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through July.
At 1 p.m. Wednesdays, there will be a free family movie matinee in Celebration Hall.
Registration is open for the fifth annual Mudtastic Classic Saturday, June 22. Register online at www.runreg.com/mudtasticclassic or stop by the community center.
The ninth annual Tour des Lakes will offer bikers three route options with 25K, 50K and 100K Saturday, July 20. For more information or to register, visit www.tourdeslakes.com.