Jeff Nicodemus, Syracuse Park Board member; Paul Newcomber, Park Board president; Mary Hursh, park board member; and Kip Schumm, park board member review the claims report during the March park board meeting Monday night, March 13.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Park Board approved New Hope Pet Rescue renting the gym at the Syracuse Community Center for a fundraiser that will feature The Strays, snacks and a cash bar with a licensed bartender.

The event will be held from 5:30-11 p.m. Saturday, March 25, with tickets sold at the door. Proceeds will benefit New Hope Rescue.

Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson updated the board on the Schrock Field. Most of the bleachers have been installed, dugout benches have been installed and scoreboards have been recomputerized. “We’ve got a whole lot of little things to do,” Jonsson said.

Jonsson and Darin Lursen, program coordinator, will be meeting to discuss the new Harold Schrock Athletic Complex opening day festivities on April 29.

The Kosciusko County Convention Recreation and Visitors Commission has awarded a $40,000 grant for the Ward Park Pavilion. Jonsson said the grant, along with other grants, donations from individuals and funds in the park improvement budget should be enough to have the pavilion built. He hopes for construction to start in July.

Jonsson showed the board signage for Ward Park and Schrock Fields. The signage will be located at the entrance and by Ward Park pavilion. Board member Kip Schumm asked about dog bag dispensers. Jonsson said there will be two dispensers in Schrock Field.

The tree board recently received an award notification from Tree City USA for 2022. This is the 22nd time the Town of Syracuse earned the award. The town also received a Growth Award from the Arbor Day for the 17th time.

The town will celebrate Arbor Day on April 28. Jonsson said the event will be held 1-2:30 p.m. at a location to be announced. The park department will be working with third graders from Syracuse Elementary School.

The parks department will also be planting street trees in Kerns Crossing after receiving requests from residents.

Jonsson reported the director of Syracuse-Wawasee Trails has resigned effective Feb. 28. The park board is handling some of the day-to-day activities of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails.

Board member David Johnston asked about the parks department taking over the trail system. Jonsson said he would like to see the county park system taking over the trail system.

Park Board President Paul Newcomer asked, if the trail went under the county parks system, how it would affect the park foundation. Jonsson said it would not affect the park foundation, which handles various other entities.

Lursen reported the Indoor Garage Sale went well despite the snowstorm the day before. Basketball just finished for the season.

Upcoming events include a fishing auction Saturday, March 18, and the Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 1, with a rain date of Saturday, April 8. Children ages 0-3 will have their egg hunt at 10 a.m., children ages 4-6 will have their egg hunt at 10:30 a.m. and children ages 7-10 will have their egg hunt at 11 a.m.

The parks department is also partnering with the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce for scavenger hunts for golden eggs.

Printing parties are starting up again. Registration has already started to trickle in.