Syracuse Named ‘Tree City USA’ For The 23rd Time

President Paul Newcomer, left, and Jace Stewart talk after the Syracuse park board meeting Monday night, March 11. Syracuse has been named a Tree City USA and has also been given The Growth Award. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.
By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews
SYRACUSE — Syracuse has been named a Tree City USA and has also been given the Growth Award.
The Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board heard the good news at its meeting Monday, March 11.
Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson gave the news during his tree board report. The town was named Tree City USA for the 23rd time and received the Growth Award for the 18th time.
The Tree City USA Growth Award is awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize higher levels of tree care.
Jonsson said he is not yet sure how many towns in Indiana have also received the awards. He said several trees have been getting trimmed and pruned in the town.
Also, an Arbor Day celebration will be held at Schrock Field Friday, April 26. Third graders will be planting six to eight trees on the south side of the sports complex. Kosciusko SWCD and The Lily Center for Lakes and Streams will be on hand to assist the students in the afternoon. Mainly pine, fir and spruce trees will be planted.
Work on Ward Park is coming along, said Jonsson. The rest of the playground equipment was delivered last Friday. Two structures on the property will be demolished Monday, March 18.
“We have a couple of other projects to do there,” said Jonsson.
Jonsson said this summer a grand opening will take place at Ward Park. He added he is inviting David Johnston, a former park board member, and his wife for the opening day celebration.
He also gave an update on the butterfly garden at Laudeman Park. A work day is scheduled for April 19. Fences and plants will be installed that day. The parks department received donated plants. Heartland Restoration will be spraying for “things that aren’t suppose to be there,” said Jonsson. Amanda Torres is leading the project. She is a parks department employee.
A new roof will be put on the Syracuse Community Center around the first week in April.
Jonsson said work on “a variety of things” at Lakeside Park have been conducted. A new drinking fountain has been installed. A “mommy and me” swing has also been put up as well.
“We will start on rule signs in the next couple of weeks,” Jonsson noted.
Park board members briefly discussed Schrock Field’s new rental agreement form. It is the first draft. The form will be used for travel leagues or other organizations that wish to use the facility.
Members discussed the rental fees. One proposed fee is $10 an hour to use one of five fields. The estimated cost to use field lights is $40 an hour. Some members felt the fees were too low.
Kristin Abbs, a park board member, suggested a deposit be set in place. Other members thought that might be a good idea. When a field is reserved, a sign will be put up stating so.
Darin Lursen gave the program report. He said the indoor garage sale had a large turnout. The basketball league has finished its season.
An Easter egg hunt will be Saturday, March 23. The age groups and times are: 0 to 3, 10 a.m.; 4 to 6, 10:30 a.m.; and 7-10, 11 a.m.
The 10th Annual Mudtastic Classic will be Saturday, June 22, on the trails near the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Education Center, located on SR 13, one mile south of Syracuse. Both adults and kids (ages 7-14) will have the opportunity to participate in teams or as individuals.
Registration is now open. Visit syracusein.org/departments/parks to register.
Jonsson gave the financial report for February and from Feb. 12 to March 11.
Jonsson said he would like to have meetings at various park locations sometime in June or July.
The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. April 8, at SCC.