From left Kristin Abbs, Chad Jonsson, Jeff Nicodemus and Paul Newcomer looks over some plans for one of the Syracuse parks at the Syracuse Park Board meeting Monday. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Park Board heard about its 2026 budget and ongoing park projects at its Monday, Sept. 8 meeting.

Superintendent Chad Jonsson gave an update on the proposed Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative projects. After discussion last month of potential projects, there were six projects the park board recommended moving forward with getting estimates on.

OIRI is managed by the K21 Health Foundation.

A new fitness trail at the Schrock Athletic Complex is being planned. He is also looking at a potential kayak launch at Ward Park. A pavilion at Laudeman Park is also proposed. The other projects will be discussed next month.

The 2026 park budget has been submitted to the Syracuse Town Council. The 2026 proposed budget is $709,950, a 2.66% increase, or $18,400. The 2025 budget was $691,550, which was a 6.63% increase from 2024.

Jonsson said the front doors at Syracuse Community Center were replaced last Thursday and they “work well.” New AC units for the building will be installed soon. The parking lot will be sealed sometime this fall.

He said the parking lot at Veterans Memorial Park on Henry Street will be paved by the town since they are paving the street too. A new sidewalk will be put in after the work is completed.

A new curb will be installed at Ward Park near the boat launch instead of bollards.

Work on the pickleball courts is ongoing. The base and top coat will be put on in the next two to three weeks and the surfacing will need to be cured first. Next, nets will go in. He expects the work to be done by mid-October.

Jonsson is sending out proposals for fertilizer and weed control for eight facilities for two years, 2026 and 2027, this week. Proposals are due by Oct. 8 and will be considered at the Oct. 13 park board meeting.

The community center’s maintenance building garage door openers need replaced. Jonsson received four quotes for the work, which will be decided in October.

Jonsson said some tree removals will take place before the end of the year.

“We will also be planting seven to eight trees this fall, maybe in late October,” he said.

One tree board member and a town representative will be attending a Department of Natural Resources tree steward program this Thursday and Friday, Sept. 11-12 in Goshen. It will help Syracuse apply for a Tree City USA designation again.

Jonsson also presented the financial report for August, and from Aug. 11 to Sept. 8.

In his program report, Darin Lursen, program director, said the Artisans and Farmers Market is now over. He said on average there were about 20 vendors.

A pottery class was conducted with 10 people attending.

A stained glass class, led by Sally Mahnken, runs each Thursday, for three weeks, and ends Thursday, Sept. 18, at SCC.

The fall indoor garage sale is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Syracuse Community Center.

The 17th annual Syracuse Fall Harvest Festival is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Lakeside Park.

The trick-or-treat trail is from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 25, at Lakeside Park.

Euchre night is at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at SCC.

The next park board meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13.