The election of Syracuse Park Board officers took place Monday night, Jan. 9. Paul Newcomer, right, was named president and David Johnston, left, will serve as vice president. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Board of Parks and Recreation held its first meeting of the year Monday night, Jan. 9.

Chad Jonsson, superintendent, gave an update on Schrock Fields. He said December was a “slow month;” however, some work has been done on the new ball field, located on Kern Road in Syracuse.

“We still have a list of things to be completed,” said Jonsson.

Grass in the outfields has been planted and the bases have been plugged.

“We plan to do some sort of grand opening maybe in May,” said Jonsson.

The tree board report was given by Jonsson. He handed out a tree summary for 2022. “We’ve kept a running total since 2000, when we first started,” he said. “We spent less money on trees in 2022.” The cost of tree work was $21,112.50.

Eighty trees were donated in the spring and 87 were planted last year, 35 were pruned and nine were removed.

Jonsson has also applied for the Tree City USA designation.

The Henry Ward Park pavilion and project was discussed. “We received a $10,000 grant from the Harkless Foundation,” said Jonsson. He has also applied for two other grants, one for $20,000. He is hopeful the project will be finished by the end of summer.

The board also looked over the 2023 project list at each park. “We are looking to do those when we have time,” he said. Some projects have started already. The gym’s floor at the Syracuse Community Center has been waxed.

A list of 2022 purchase orders was given to each board member. Mulch at Lakeside Park needs to be purchased.

Darin Lursen, program director, gave the program report. Basketball leagues started playing this week, he noted, and will continue until the second week in March.

Euchre will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20. So far, 15 people have signed up. An indoor garage sale will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4. Twenty people have signed up and spots are filled.

Bingo with the Knights of Columbus will be Saturday, Feb. 4, at SCC. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the cost is $25. Those 18 and older may attend.

A soup supper will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at SCC. The cost is $8 for those 9 and older, $4 for children ages 4 to 8, and children 3 and younger are free.

The Syracuse Parks Department and Waterford Crossing are hosting a free “brain fit” series beginning 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. This is a free, five-week course on how to keep your brain fit. To register for classes, contact Lisa Zollinger at (574) 536-0313.

Jonsson gave the financial report for Dec. 12 to Jan. 9. He also gave the financial report for the end of year.

The election of park board officers also took place. Paul Newcomer was named president again and David Johnston was retained as vice president.

The Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month in the Syracuse Community Center.