Syracuse was given the Tree City USA award, the park board heard Monday, March 14. Pictured, from left, are park board members Brent Berkeypile, Carol Koble, and Mary Hursh. InkFreeNews Photo by Phoebe Banks.

By Phoebe Banks
Staff Writer

Fifty trees will be planted this spring in Syracuse thanks to an award the Syracuse Parks Department received. The Syracuse Park Board heard the good news at its Monday night, March 14, meeting.

The park’s tree board received the award from Tree City USA.

“It is our 22nd award and the 17th year for the Growth Award,” said Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson.

Volunteers are needed to plant the trees April 30.

“We have three locations selected to plant the trees,” he said.

The wastewater plant, Laudeman Park, and the corner of Main and Polywood streets are the proposed locations, he said. Another proposed location is a no-leash facility, if the dog park project is approved.

Volunteers will meet at one location, watch a demonstration, and then will be instructed on where to plant the trees.

“The holes will be dug already,” said Jonsson. The rain date will be the following weekend.

Jonsson gave an update on work at Schrock Fields. Sewer and water lines are being installed to the buildings. Middlebury Electric is installing power to the buildings. Drywall and painting are still being completed, and the garage doors are being installed.

Jonsson said a weekly meeting is planned for 8 a.m. next Wednesday, March 23, at the new ballfields.

“It is moving forward,” said Jonsson.

New Hope Pet Rescue was given approval to host a Irish potato bar from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Syracuse Community Center. The event will have a cash bar, a drawing and a raffle and is $7 per person.

Jonsson gave the financial report from Feb. 14 to March 14 and the financial report for February.

Syracuse Community Center’s painting project is nearing completion. Smith Painting has been doing the work. A second check for the rest of the work was written. A second coat of paint is needed. The gym is the last room to be painted.

A new mower for Schrock Fields is needed. A demonstration of a new mower could happen next month.

The plans for Henry Ward Park Pavilion are currently being completed by an architect. Jonsson said he will get the plans to park board members to review once he receives them.

The new signs at Veterans Memorial Park at Crosson Mill will be installed soon, possibly next month. One sign will be at the entrance and another by the playground.

A no-leash facility is still being planned for Syracuse, however, the exact location is still unknown. There are three potential locations: Main and Dolan streets, the old ballpark, or a field at St. Andrew’s Church. The proposed dog park must be approved by Syracuse Town Council first.

Darin Lursen, program director, gave the program report, stating, “The indoor garage sale went well.” A new yoga class has started. Classes are from 5:45-7 p.m. every Tuesday and the cost is $7 per session.

A princess party is this weekend. Forty-five children have signed up so, “We have a full house,” said Lursen.

A mommy and me painting party is at 5:30 p.m. March 30. Participants will be painting an owl.

The annual Easter egg hunt is April 9. Three separate age groups at different times will be able to hunt for eggs.

The park board is seeking another member. If interested, contact Jonsson at (574) 457-3440.

The park board’s meeting time has been changed; the new time is 5:30 p.m. and the next meeting will be April 11.