Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee wrapped up loose ends at this month’s last meeting of the year last week. The new Executive Director Erlene Yentes, left, is pictured with Dr. Tom Edington, the board’s treasurer. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee had a great year. One major project was started while others have been completed. The committee also hired a new executive director.

The trail committee is part of the Syracuse-Wawasee Parks Foundation, a not for profit corporation. The committee is comprised of all volunteers who live and work in the community. The committee is an advisory group, helping coordinate the planning, construction and maintenance of local trails located on the city of Syracuse and county properties.

Chairman Kay Young said the major project that began this year is the Conklin Bay project. The construction of the project has already started and tentatively slated to be completed by early spring, Young stated.

This portion of the trail will include a boardwalk over wetlands and a trail along SR 13.

Donations and grants helped the committee to get some projects done or started this year. It was a pretty good year for those, Young said of financial help.

Megan McClellan, the former director, helped obtain a $1 million Next Levels state grant, among others, said Young. The money from the state helped start the Conklin Bay project. She also helped finalize other trail projects, such as the completion of the Syracuse-Webster Road trail portion.

“Without her foresight and determination, we would not be at the stage we are today,” said Young of McClellan.

When McClellan resigned, it took several months to find her replacement. Erlene Yentes has been named the new executive director.

“We were happy to find a new director after three months,” said Young. “She has great enthusiasm for the job. She will be a great asset as far as our ongoing, future projects. She will help the committee, too, as far as her organizational skills.”

After only three months on the job, Yentes has already completed the trails’ newsletter, organized her office and is working to update the website for the trail system. Described as her “dream job,” Yentes said after the Conklin Bay project is completed next year, the committee will start working on future trail projects.

“I’m really excited,” Yentes said of her new job.

As far as the donations this year, it was a pretty good year for those. Donations and grants have helped move these trail projects forward.

“We applaud all of our backers and every donation is important,” stressed Young. Grants were received from the K21 Foundation, Dekko Foundation, Kosciusko County Community Foundation and Miller Family Foundation.

“We wouldn’t be where we are now if it weren’t for them,” said Young of the donors for Conklin Bay project specifically, adding Miller Family Foundation helped a lot.

As for goals, as chairman, Young hopes to accomplish some other new projects in 2020.

“We are looking forward to ramping things up in 2020,” Young said. “It’s been a great year. We had a few hurdles, but we’ve accomplished a lot, too.”

The trail committee meets at 6 p.m. the third Monday of most months at the trail’s office, located in downtown Syracuse. The public is always welcome at meetings as are new volunteers.

For more information about the trail system or to donate, visit www.syracusewawaseetrails.com, email Yentes at [email protected] or call the office at (574) 675-6433.