A memorial brick was given to David Johnston, left, for his time he has served on the Syracuse Park Board. The brick will be placed outside the community center’s walkway. He is pictured with Chad Jonsson, park superintendent. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

The Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board received a $150,000 grant from the K21 Foundation. The board heard the good news at its monthly meeting Monday, Oct. 9.

Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson said the grant will be used to fund Ward Park’s new playground. The cost of the playground is $250,000. Ward Park is undergoing a renovation. The pavilion and rest rooms are being remodeled.

The grant is not a matching grant. Jonsson said the parks department may have funds to cover the difference. He is also applying for more grants.

Jonsson is meeting with the contractor Oct. 23. Water and power are on and a sewer line will go in this week. Jonsson said the park is used frequently.

During his tree board report, Jonsson said 10 trees will be removed and 11 will be planted this fall. The trees will be planted in late October or early November.

“We will have 11 locations for planting, including Kerns Crossing,” he said.

The parks department is getting a new zero-turn lawn mower to be purchased in 2024 and the 2012 mower is being sold.
“I’ve had some inquiries for it and some interest,” said Jonsson.

Jonsson showed park board members a draft of Lakeside Park’s new signs.

“This is project for next year but I wanted you to see them,” said Jonsson, adding another sign will also be placed along Northshore Drive.

Lakeside Park’s swing will also be replaced. The swing is broken but the frame is still there. The “mommy and me” swing will fit on the frame, Jonsson said, and the swing is face-to-face. It will be installed sometime in the spring and costs $1,519.

The facilities committee has met in the last couple of months. Jonsson showed the board a planning and development worksheet. Park board members are to list the priority for each park, the community center, skate park, municipal pier, Hoy’s Beach and the new sports complex.

The priorities are: the next three years (2024 to 2026), the following three years (2027 to 2029), and long-term priorities (after 2030).

Also, to be determined, are a no-leash pet area (dog park), a splash pad and pickleball courts. Jonsson said he would like the sheets back by Nov. 1 in time for the next meeting.

“It gives Darin (Lursen), and me something to work on,” he said.

A memorial brick was given to David Johnston for the time he has served on the park board since 2017. The brick will be placed outside on the walkway outside the community center.

“I’ve enjoyed it, and I will miss you all,” said Johnston, who has sold his house and is moving.

Mary Hursh’s term is also ending at the end of the year, leaving two open seats on the board. The board also welcomed new member, Kristin Abbs.

Lursen, the program director,  said Syracuse Fall Harvest Festival last Saturday “went well” despite the chilly weather and was well-attended.

The indoor garage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 14, at SCC.

Euchre is Friday, Oct. 20, at SCC. A trick-or-treat trail is from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, and will also feature a haunted woods from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $5 per person. The walk at WACF is one mile.

Basketball registration begins Monday, Nov. 6. There was no financial report. Jonsson said he will have a report at its next meeting, which is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13.