Shown discussing the new pavilions in Syracuse Parks are clockwise Mary Hursh, Jamie Beer, Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, Jeff Nicodemus and Paul Newcomber, park board president, during the board’s April meeting held Monday night, April 11.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — A collaborative tree planting project between the Syracuse Parks Department with Re-Leaf Michigan and the St. Joseph River Basin Commission was one of the projects the Syracuse Park Board discussed at its meeting Monday night, April 11.

The community tree planting will be held Saturday, April 30. Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, said volunteer registration will start at 8:45 a.m. at Laudeman Park with volunteers being deployed at 9 a.m. to plant approximately 50 trees.

Trees will be planted at Laudeman Park, the corner of Main and Polywood Way (formerly known as Brooklyn Street) and the corner of Main and Dolan streets.

Kip Schumm asked who owned the lot at the corner of Main and Polywood Way. Jonsson explained the town owns it and there is potential for it to become a pocket park sometime in the future.

Several school groups have volunteered to help plant trees, as have local civic organizations. Jonsson hopes to have at least 40 volunteers assist in the tree planting. The Syracuse Street Department will pre-dig the holes for the trees.

The annual Arbor Day Celebration with third graders from Syracuse Elementary School will be held Friday, April 29, at Laudeman Park.

Jonsson reported on progress at the Schrock Field. The doors to the buildings have been installed, the drywall is up inside with just painting left to be done. Sewer and water have also been installed.

Sometime around May 1, the walking path around the complex will be paved, the last coat of asphalt will be laid in the parking lot and the basketball court will also be paved.

The sprinkler system will be installed in late May or early June and then the fields will be seeded.

The painting project at the community center has been completed and park staff have received a number of compliments on the freshened-up look.

Park staff are waiting to see a demonstration of a multipurpose vehicle for Schrock Field before making a decision to purchase.

Park board members reviewed proposed plans to replace the pavilion and restrooms at Henry Ward Park. The design is a smaller version of the pavilion in Lakeside Park. Plans for a pavilion with restrooms at Laudeman Park were also presented.

Park Board President Paul Newcomer asked if a lift station would be needed to have restrooms at Laudeman Park. Jonsson noted a grinder pump can be installed.

The next step for the pavilion at Henry Ward Park is to get some quotes, then put together a grant application for the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Jonsson said he hoped to have funds for the pavilion by the start of 2023.

Darin Lursen, program coordinator, said 47 children attended the Princess Party held on March 23. A test run of yoga classes proved to be successful and will be continuing for another four-week session.

The annual Easter egg hunts were postponed to this weekend due to the snow the area experienced last week.

Touch a Truck, set for Saturday, May 7, is being moved to Syracuse Elementary School to coincide with the Wawasee Key Club’s annual car show. The car show will be held in the Eagles parking lot and Touch a Truck will be held in the front parking lot of the school.

Jamie Beer will be recommended to the Syracuse Town Council as a park board member.

Schumm asked if there was any word regarding the dog park. Jonsson said he’s been working with Bill Musser, council president, on what can and can’t be done. He’s looking to build momentum and interest.

Schumm asked how the fountain in Veterans Park at Crosson Mill fared. This was the first winter it was allowed to run. Jonsson reported there were no major issues this winter.