David Johnston, park superintendent Chad Jonsson and Jeff Nicodemus look over the financial report at Syracuse Parks and Recreation board meeting Monday, July 10. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

The restrooms and pavilion at Henry Ward Park in Syracuse have been torn down and work on the project will begin as soon as next week.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, gave a report about the park’s pavilion and restroom project at the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department board meeting Monday night, July 10.

Kline Excavating conducted the removal and the contractor is expected to start next week. The Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance for the project.

“It will take a couple weeks of work to complete the project,” he said.

A new playground will also be installed.

Jonsson gave the tree board report. He said the park department received two magnolia trees for Lakeside Park.

Four other trees are being kept at what used to be the nursery. He said he is working on the fall tree planting list, a list of those locations and tree removals, too.

An update on Schrock Fields was given. Jonsson said, “a lot of activity has been done in the last month. We are still working on things.”

He said football practice will begin at the end of this month. Games will begin after Labor Day. Concrete was expected to be delivered Tuesday, July 11.

Goal posts, netting and the scoreboard need to be installed.

“It looks good,” said Carol Koble, park board advisor, of the new ballfield.

The 2024 park budget was approved last month and Jonsson said, “It’s moving forward as submitted.”

“I am working on grant applications for funding for next year,” Jonsson noted.

The Syracuse Lake Association requested approval to serve mimosas at its annual breakfast from 9-10:30 a.m. Aug. 5; the park board approved its request.

Darin Lursen, program director, gave the program report noting Mudtastic Classic “went well.” He said 230 people showed up for the event.

The Artisan and Farmers Market is still going on and will continue until Labor Day weekend.

Yoga is still taking place at 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 9-10 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Syracuse’s town wide garage sales are Aug. 3-5. People have until July 27 to be included in a list of garage sales.

Garage sale permits do not have to be obtained during this weekend and the park department will advertise listings free of charge in the Aug. 2 edition of The Mail- Journal and The Paper. Call the Syracuse Community Center at (574) 457-3440 by 5 p.m. Thursday, July 27, to ensure inclusion in the newspapers. Printed versions of the listings can be picked up at the Syracuse Community Center once the sales begin.

Tour des Lakes registration began and the event will take place Saturday, July 15. Lursen said so far 200 people have registered and the number could reach 400 by the weekend.

A Family Camp Out at Lakeside Park begins at 5 p.m. Aug. 25 until 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26.

Yard games will be set up in the park for families to play. Hot dogs and chips will be provided for participants. A camp fire will be available for making s’mores and a movie with popcorn will take place. Donuts, coffee and milk will be available for breakfast Saturday morning.

The cost is $5 per person. Register at the Syracuse Community Center. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.

Jonsson gave the financial report from June 12 to July 10 and the financial report for June.

The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14.