Trails committee Learns Of Damaged Conklin Bay Boardwalk
By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews
SYRACUSE — A majority of the time, during Monday evening’s monthly gathering, of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee focused on the contraction and expansion issues at Conklin Bay. Trails Executive Director Erlene Yentes said she contacted the company that was originally contracted for the Conklin Bay Project earlier this month. They provided an estimate for some repairs and also suggested talking with a local carpenter or contractor to make these repairs.
Russ LoCoco spoke at length regarding Conlin Bay’s railings. He provided detailed photographs and illustrations of how the joints were failing, due to their contraction and expansion. During this discussion, he noted that he was not blaming any person or business for this failure.
A former construction business owner by trade, LoCoco explained that a number of possible items could of lead to the failing of the railings. He noted that the problems are worsening every day the boardwalk is exposed to the elements and that repairs will become costlier the longer it takes to start repairs.
LoCoco offered an alternative construction design, which he said would be much better suited for the boardwalk and would be much sturdier and last with minimal maintenance well into the future. He estimated that “98% of repairs are needed on the larger boardwalk and approximately 2% on the smaller one.”
It was noted that extra material is available for replacing the damaged areas. LoCoco said that some of the existing material can be salvaged and reused. However, that depends on when the repairs begin.
Yentes noted that money the committee already had set aside for maintenance could cover some of the cost. She added that grants may be available to help defray the expense. She was given the green light by the committee to pursue those grants.
In other business, the committee continues to review a matrix which outlines future proposed trail projects based on the recent feasibility study. The committee agreed to get together on Friday, April 15, to tour some proposed areas.
The next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, April 18, inside the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails office, located at 813 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. The public is invited to attend.