Wawasee South is the next project for the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee. A capital campaign to “Join the Movement” is underway.

Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Wawasee South capital campaign by the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails is underway.

Announced Thursday evening, Aug. 22, at the trails’ 20th Anniversary Event, Wawasee South will start at Grandview Drive and go 2.2 miles south to Wawasee Middle School.

But the evening was not just about announcing the new capital campaign. Two awards were presented to trail supporters by Amanda Plank, executive director.

Amanda Plank presented Larry Baumgardt with the Volunteer of the Year award.

Larry Baumgardt was presented the Volunteer of the Year award. Baumgardt has been photographing the trails and its users for the committee and recently has captured new photographs focusing on the trail users.

K21 Health Foundation President and CEO Rich Haddad accepted the Partner of the Year award on behalf of the foundation. The foundation has been a part of every mile of trail which “makes our lives better.”

Steve Coyle, board member, presented the what and why of the new campaign. He spoke about the current trails, which encompass Syracuse Lake and a portion of the north side of Wawasee and the last trail expansion, Conklin Bay. Currently the east portion of Wawasee has no trail connectivity to the town and amenities. Utilizing the 2021 feasibility study which pointed out 16 segments and estimated costs, the next direction was determined.

“If there are other sections you would like us to push for, we would be glad to consider. We’d like a proposal, support from friends/neighbors, homeowners associations and buckets of money,” said Coyle.

“Why this one?” Coyle asked. He gave three reasons — connection, convenience and cost. “Wawasee South connects the community, schools to schools, connecting those along SR 13 to the lake, side roads as Waco and Ideal Beach, one side street to another,” he said, and finally the connection to Wawasee Middle School and CR 1000N allows for future continuation around the lake.

Rich Haddad, president and CEO of K21 Foundation was presented the Partner of the Year award by Amanda Plank.

Hitting on the convenience of Wawasee South, Coyle pointed out the low number of homes and businesses, fewer utilities to move and “the state has the right of way to utilize.” He also noted safety for bikes, joggers, walkers.

Cost was a huge consideration in the project. The committee has created 12 trails in 20 years. While it would be nice to do 12 miles in 10 years, there is planning, legalities and construction, he said. “This is a cost efficient route and the unit cost for each segment is one of the top ones. For the length and width it is the most cost effective trail we’ve done.”

The trail will qualify for the NextLevel Trails funding through the state, as did Conklin Bay. “It’s a great opportunity to get the maximum of $4 million. That will take us a long way,” Coyle stated. But he said there is a catch as nothing is free.

With a NextLevel Trails grant, there is a buy in, a 20% match. He stated collaboration of people “Joining the Movement” will make a dent in acquiring the fund along with the fun of that evening. The goal is to raise $1 million.

Frank Levinson, a new member of the committee, shared what the trails mean to him and his family. Levinson and his family, including his three children who are in high school and middle school, use the trails extensively. “The things the trails represent is a lot of freedom to me … explore the community, a piece of mind for the kids is really satisfying … They can jump on their bikes and go to Dairy Queen and meet friends, ride to the high school …” He also noted the memories the trails have provided by providing family walks, going and doing things and the health and benefits it provides. He encouraged people to give toward the Wawasee South project and how that will help close the gap and take building a trail around the lake over time.

Plank was given accolades for organizing the evening along with working on numerous grants. She recapped the past year for the trails, noting the rebranding last year and signage along the trails, partnership with K21 Foundation, a survey completion for Wawasee South, and the repair that is underway on the trail that was damaged by a reckless driver along Mudd Lake. She noted Fawley and Sons have begun removal of the damaged pier and will be working on the reconstruction over the next two weeks.

Among the guests that evening was Spike Ford, who was introduced by Kay Young, board president, as one of the founding fathers.

The evening included a live auction of four items, 25 items available in a silent auction, and an opportunity to make a purchase of a surprise bottle of wine. When the evening concluded, approximately $18,300 was raised.