Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Executive Director Erlene Yentes, left, and committee chair Kay Young discuss the newly submitted feasibility study that addresses the trail’s expansion. InkFreeNews photo by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — With the completion of the feasibility study conducted by USI, the monthly meeting of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail committee, held Monday, Oct. 18, focused on what the next steps should be in the immediate future.

The report proffered by USI was emailed to the committee Oct. 18, but had not yet been distributed to members of the committee. The suggestion was made to post the lengthy document on the organization’s website for public review. The exact formatting of how the study would be uploaded and accessed was not decided upon, although it was agreed it would be done once the document was reviewed by the committee.

The committee further discussed which parts of the proposed trail expansion would be the first to be considered once the study is fully read and understood. Director Erlene Yentes noted she has held preliminary meetings with officials in North Webster regarding their feasibility study and plans for trail expansion. She also said she has been working with Michiana Area Council of Governments regarding the study and its implementation.

In new business, trail repairs at Mud Lake were addressed. It was noted MACOG installed a mobile counter at Conklin Bay, which registered more than 400 visitors on a recent week.

The committee also was updated on various grants applications and possibilities from a variety of local and national organizations.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trails will hold its annual Tails and Trails from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, beginning at the Syracuse Community Center. Additionally, dates were officially set for next year’s Tour de Lakes, which will be held July 16, 2022, and the Life is Better on the Trail fundraiser Aug. 4, 2022.

The Syracuse-Wawasee Trail office is officially settled into its new location, 813 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. It can be reached by calling (574) 675-6433.

The next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at the new office.