With July being National Parks and Recreation Month, Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department will be doing its best to spread the word while offering programs and planning a few new upcoming ones, including community canoeing.

During the parks department’s regular board meeting, June 9, Program Director Tyler McLead stated the department would borrow canoes from the Wawasee Area Conservancy Fund for the pilot program and launch them from the municipal pier. Currently, they are still solidifying dates, but will target days of the week when traffic is low of Syracuse Lake.

Adult co-ed softball is another program the department intends to launch for late summer or early fall with McLead stating registration would be up in the next couple of week. He also announced plans for a Fun in the Park Photo Contest, which would require all submitted photos be taken at one of Syracuse’s parks.

Additionally, the Syracuse Artisans & Farmers Market will be adding another day, starting June 18, when it will be open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Wednesday. McLead stated during Wednesday markets only produce will be available. Another upcoming event is the Tour Des Lakes, July 12, which will have a professional BMX show occurring in front of the community center and a family scavenger ride this year.

Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson provided updates on the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex, including that they are seeing an increase in games. Jonsson stated they are a week away from having lights in the little field —where the majority of games have been played — and then they will shift focus to the larger field’s lighting. Stones were also delivered for the walking path around Harold Schrock Athletic Complex.

Jonsson presented the 2015 budget to board members, noting that in 2015 there will be 27 pay periods, but the department has a little cushion to cover the extra cost. The budget also includes a $600 increase in town utilities due to a increase in sewer rates.

Board members approved the budget pending any revisions needed prior to the Syracuse Town Council meeting in July.

In other news:

• K21 visited the Syracuse Community Center in regards to the planned fitness room expansion and its board will begin making a decision if the project will receive any funds.

• Signs will be made to prohibit skateboarding and biking in the gazebo, which is scheduled to be repaired and repainted shortly.

• Sites are being looked at for fall planting. Each year, park board advisor Jerry Riffle stated, they try to plant 10 trees in the spring and 10 trees in the fall. A few trees will have to be removed as well due to being infected by emerald ash borers.

• The department purchased a wood sign for the Artisan & Farmers Market to be displayed at the athletic complex.

Next park board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, July 7, if changes are needed for the budget. If not, it will meet as regularly scheduled at 7 p.m. July 14.