Syracuse Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson, Jeff Nicodemus and Paul Newcomer go over the list of ongoing park projects at its meeting Monday, June 9.  InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Members of the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board heard about ongoing and future park projects at its brief meeting Monday, June 9.

Superintendent Chad Jonsson updated the board on the park project list.

“We have the money for park improvements,” he said. “A couple things have been removed from the list and some things have been added.”

He will continue to update the project list as the year progresses.

In addition, work is being conducted at Syracuse Community Center, too. Work includes doors at two entrances, adding weather strip to doors as needed. The board reviewed two bids for the doors. They choose Hartford Glass in Mishawaka, which had the lower bid of $20,500.

Other projects include work at Veterans Memorial Park, Laudeman Park, Hoy’s Beach, Lakeside Park and Ward Park. The flower bed will be redesigned at the municipal pier. An automated external defibrillator box has been placed at Ward Park.

“We need to replenish the beach sand at Hoy’s Beach,” said Jonsson.

Jonsson gave the tree board report. He is working on projects, such as pruning trees in some of the parks.

A check from an insurance company for the new pedestrian crosswalk sign at SCC has been received. Jonsson ordered a set of matching signs so both ends of Long Drive will look the same. A driver destroyed the previous signs.

There will not be lifeguards at Lakeside Park this summer. A “swim at your own risk” sign is in place instead.

Program Director Darin Lursen gave the program report. He said Mudtastic Classic is Saturday, June 21. So far, 151 people have signed up but he is expecting over 200 people.

The Syracuse Artisan and Farmers Market is doing very well, he said.

“One weekend we had 23 vendors and, on average, we have around 20,” he said.

He said the fitness programs are going very well at the community center. Classes include yoga and a step class.

Jonsson gave the financial report for May 12 to June 9, and for May. The total amount of vouchers is $17,641.73 from May 13 to June 9.

The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 14.