During 2019, the Syracuse Park Board completed several improvements at various parks and the Syracuse Community Center while also preparing for development at Laudeman Park and the lighting project in the community center’s parking lot, both of which are coming in 2020. Pictured, park board member David Johnston, left, listens as Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson talks during the board’s November meeting. (Photo by Sarah Wright)

SYRACUSE — As 2019 wrapped up, the Syracuse Park Board ended the year with several improvements completed and underway.

“I think we’ve done some improvements in all of the parks,” Dave Van Lue, board president, said. “There have been several improvements in the community center itself with a new phone system, fire safety magnetic release doors added, parking lot sealed, rear drive closed and the new digital signage in front from the generous donation of David and Kathleen Johnston.”

In 2019, the park board also partnered with Pat Brown from SiteScapes to develop a plan for Laudeman Park.

“We had several public meetings to allow neighbors in that area to have input as to what would be important to them in the park,” Van Lue said. “Plan development was complete and we are moving forward in 2020.”

For the park’s natural areas, Heartland Restoration has been contracted and the company will begin work in spring 2020. The plantings are a process that will take several years to mature.

The year 2020 will see numerous projects come to fruition, including the highly anticipated parking lot curbing and lighting project. Van Lue noted the park board has contracted Pulver Construction for this particular project.

“We worked with the town on this project to get streetlights,” Van Lue noted. “It’ll be a lot safer in the evening.”

Ward Park’s playground is another project slated for 2020. “We will be writing a K21 Foundation grant to fund the development of a new playground area (and will be) looking at some more nontraditional features,” Van Lue explained.

Improvements will also be made to the skate park with “wraps” around ramps for cleanliness and safety.

“I really appreciate our working relationship with the town of Syracuse. We are always trying to help each other out — it’s a great relationship and allows us to accomplish more,” Van Lue said, adding, “I would also like to thank the staff of the parks department and the community center for all they do, especially Chad (Jonsson), Darin (Lursen) and Garrett (Baldridge).”