The Syracuse Parks Department is wrapping up some summer projects and starting a new one, the park board heard Monday night. Pictured from left are Program Director Darin Lursen, park board member David Johnston and Superintendent Chad Jonsson. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
Staff Writer

SYRACUSE — “We are ready to start moving dirt,” Chad Jonsson, superintendent of Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department, told park board members.

Plans are moving along for the new Schrock ball field project, which will be located on Kern Road in Syracuse, he told park board members at its regular meeting Monday, Aug. 9.

Jonsson reported Beer and Slabaugh of Nappanee is ready to begin work on the new Schrock field. The driveway permit was approved.

“There’s equipment sitting there,” he noted. “So, everything is moving forward.”

Jonsson said he is not sure of a completion date yet.

He reported on the activities of the tree board. The tree board is working on the annual fall tree removal and maintenance list. The large ash tree next to Lakeside Park’s pavilion will be included in the removal list, he said.

Jonsson reported a date has been set with the St. Joseph River Basin Commission to host a public meeting at 1 p.m. Sept. 20, at Syracuse Community Center to review the findings of the grant the tree board worked on with multiple agencies. The meeting will last approximately one hour.

Siding and railing for Lakeside Park’s gazebo will be delivered as soon as this week. A box of extra siding needed to purchased, said Jonsson.

Some of the materials were paid for in April or May, he noted. The siding will be completed in-house by the parks department. He expects the project to take “a couple of weeks” and hopes the project will be done by the next park board meeting Sept. 13.

Syracuse Community Center’s parking lot needs some asphalt repair work. Jonsson presented two quotes at the meeting.

Ranger Materials first quote for asphalt repair work is $4,215 for 948 square feet. Ranger’s second quote is for $6,036 for seal specifications. The quote includes cleaning the pavement to remove all dirt and debris, and applying two coats of coal tar emulsion sealer on 52,500 square feet of the parking lot.

Super Seal’s bid is $8,445. Both companies are located in Warsaw. Super Seal just did Wawasee High School’s parking lot, he said.

“We do it every other year,” he said of the parking lot. “We have money in the park improvement fund.”

A new utility vehicle may need to be purchased. Jonsson said so far he has received two quotes for a new UV. Approval will take place at the park board’s next meeting.

Laudeman Park has been mowed, Jonsson told park board members. There is also a new rules sign at Hoy’s Beach.

Darin Lursen gave the program report. He said free community kayaking will be from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 1, 8 and 15, at Henry Ward Park.

Registration for an indoor garage sale starts Sept. 1, at SCC. The garage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 16, at SCC.

A new euchre tournament is being proposed. The event will be hosted by several churches.

Tour des Lakes had 400 riders, a record number said Lursen.

There’s five more weeks left of the farmers market, which is held on Saturdays. Harvest Fest will be Oct. 9.

Jonsson reviewed the financial report, as well as the fund report for July 1-31.

“We will have some upcoming expenses,” said Jonsson.