Syracuse Park Board members, from left, are Kip Schumm, Mary Hursh and Carol Koble who are looking over documents at the Monday, Sept. 13 meeting. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
Staff Writer

A new dog park could become a reality in Syracuse. Superintendent Chad Jonsson said a dog park is being proposed for Syracuse, he told the Syracuse Board of Parks and Recreation Board Monday, Sept. 13.

The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a community survey and the findings indicated Syracuse residents want a dog park, also called a “no-leash facility.”

The new canine park could be located at Main and Dolan streets since the town already owns the property. Another location would be the field next to St. Andrew’s Church.

The park foundation received a donation for the no-leash dog park and that money is being used toward a plan and design, said Jonsson. He said he is meeting with the chamber this week to discuss further details.

The work on the new Schrock Fields is moving forward, Jonsson said. “We ordered the playground and we made a down payment on the backstop netting.”

A sprinkler system will be also need to be purchased, he told the board.

“All the fields will be sprinkled,” he said. Before winter, Jonsson said plans are to grade the parking lot, put up light poles and work on the new field, located on Kern Road.

“It is moving forward,” Jonsson said, adding that Doug Schrock is happy with the progress. The ballpark is named after his father, Harold.

The tree board is working on its annual removal and fall planting list. Jonsson said eight trees at several parks will be removed this fall and 12 trees will be planted.

Jonsson reported the Syracuse Tree Board will be hosting a meeting at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20, at Syracuse Community Center to present the findings of the St. Joseph River Basin Commission grant from 2020. This meeting will be open to the public.

Jonsson said work is being done on the siding and railing on Lakeside Park’s gazebo.

The SCC’s parking lot will be sealed and then the parking spots will be striped to include two handicapped spots near the crosswalk to Lakeside Park.

The interior of SCC may be painted this winter, Jonsson noted while presenting the financial and fund report.

The board approved the purchase of a John Deere Gator. The cost is $12,374.93. Rather than trade it in, the old UTV may be used for work at Schrock Fields. The new Gator has a hydraulic lift.

“We do use a power lift,” said Jonsson. “We use it a lot.” He noted, “it is easy to get parts for it.”

The air conditioning unit in the museum, located inside SCC, stopped working, so once it is purchased it will get installed soon.

Jonsson reported that sound boards for Celebration Hall at SCC were purchased and installed.

“We purchased these sound boards, as we have received complaints about the echoing during meetings,” noted Jonsson.

Darin Lursen, the program director, gave his report. He said the Harvest Festival will be Saturday, Oct. 9, at Lakeside Park. An indoor garage sale is Saturday, Oct. 16, and a drive-thru trick-or-treat event is Saturday, Oct. 30, both at SCC.

A homecoming parade will be at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24. The parade will start on Chicago Street and head west to Wawasee High School.

The next park board meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at SCC.