Syracuse Park Board Gets Projects In Order
SYRACUSE — Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board met for the first time in 2020 Monday, Jan. 13, focusing on the projects that lay ahead.
A $10,000 Harkless Foundation grant was received for Syracuse Community Center’s parking lot curbing/lighting project. Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson noted there is no official start date for the project.
Seven lawn mowers were considered from four local retailers. Jonsson noted the department’s current mower is a John Deere, and Garrett Baldridge, who handles all of the maintenance, is familiar with the manufacturer. The department has also only had little issues with the old one and plans to keep it as a backup since it has very little trade-in value.
With the John Deere, there was also the possibility of getting airless tires, or Tweel Turf tires. These tires are supposed to offer a better ride and hold up longer.
After discussion, the board approved the purchase of a John Deere Z970R with Tweel Turf tires.
American Ramp Company will be installing ramp enclosures at the skate park. These will reduce noise for the park’s neighbors while also preventing debris from getting stuck under the ramps. Putting on the enclosures will require new guard rails. The project will cost $18,406.26.
“That will be done sometime this year. I can’t guarantee what time,” Jonsson said. “It is something that I thought would be beneficial to the neighbors as well as protect the long-term life of those ramps.”
Goshen Floor Mart will be replacing carpet in a couple of offices at the community center; the deposit for this was approved with other bills during the meeting. Jan. 27-28 are the scheduled dates for the project to begin.
Ritter Electric will handle the community center’s electrical room ventilation project. Finally, Pacemaker Buildings will be adding storage to the park department’s maintenance building.
The community center’s restrooms were not included in the list of projects, with Jonsson noting, “It’s been an interesting project so far. Had three guys essentially tell me that the only way they can do that — because of the way (the toilets) are mounted on the wall — is to take the wall out and the holes in the floor and redrain the whole thing and redo it.”
Jonnson added other wall-mounted toilets don’t have the same height as the drain. He suggested once a method has been selected they might use the park improvement fund for this eventual project.
In other park board news:
• A permit for a new seawall was approved at the municipal pier.
• Information was shared about a group that will be temporarily renting Celebration Hall every Wednesday morning at least until the end of the month as they search for a more permanent meeting location.
• Jeff Nicodemus was reappointed to the park board by the Syracuse Town Council, and David Johnston was reappointed by the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library Board. Dave Van Lue will remain as president with Paul Newcomer staying on as vice president.
• The Tree City USA application has been submitted.
• Upcoming park programs include the live-action “Lion King” as the free family movie, Jan. 17; park bingo, Feb. 8; the indoor garage sale, March 7; and Princess Party, March 21, already sold out.
Next meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10.