SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation trails committee Monday, Nov. 18, discussed the progress of the Conklin Bay Trail and tendered its first contractor payment of $480,971 to Selge Construction of Niles, Mich.

Architect George Trueblood, center, addresses the Syracuse Wawasee Trail Committee on the progress of the Conklin Bay Trail project. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

Architect George Trueblood of Fort Wayne-based Earth Source Inc. Heartland Restoration Services reported a portion of the concrete walkway will be poured next week.

He also said a request for a new permit to minimally encroach on the Rolland Wetland Conservation Area has been filed with the Army Corps of Engineers.

The current permit expires Dec. 15 and the new permit, which Trueblood expects to be approved, will be good for one year and eligible for extensions for another five years.

Trueblood also noted 190 feet of the boardwalk has been completed and one overlook on the bay has been framed. The completed one-mile trail, all but 134 feet of which will be completed before spring, will feature three overlooks and a boardwalk observatory.

Asphalt shouldering will be delayed until spring due to current prohibitive cold temperatures.

Board member Bob Smith spoke enthusiastically about the process and progress of trail construction, one-third of which will be planked boardwalk and two-thirds concrete, and the plans for completion of the project.

“It will be the gold standard of trails in Indiana when we get it done,” he said.

The board also discussed producing a video of the project and completed trail, including drone footage, to be used for informational and promotional purposes. Drone photos and videos will also be posted on the foundation’s website.

In other business, Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson presented the treasurer’s report for Tom Edington, who was attending another meeting. The October report showed a beginning balance in the general funds of $107,399.99 with expenditures of $17,199.37 for an ending balance of $90,200.62.

The Conklin Bay account began with $1,962,441.30 with expenses of $17,434.46 in addition to the contract payment, leaving a balance of $1,464,035.84.

The board announced it has interviewed several candidates for executive director of the Syracuse Wawasee Trail Committee and will select someone soon.

The board will next meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in the park foundation’s office.