Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard an update on the Conklin Bay project at its meeting Monday, Feb. 17. Pictured are Tony Pawlicki, Chairman Kay Young, Dr. Tom Edington and Chad Jonsson. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)
SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard an update on the Conklin Bay project at its meeting Monday evening, Feb. 17. The board also heard from two Syracuse Lake residents who walk the trail on a regular basis.
The two women, who frequent the trails, attended the meeting. They expressed concern about the trail being maintained in the winter time. Kenya Beasley and Sally Gralle frequently walk the trail around Syracuse Lake.
“We walked it today,” said Beasley, who walks the trail daily. “We like the trail.”
The two women asked how often the trails are maintained in the winter time. Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, said certain “adopt a trail sections are taken care of.” Kay Young, chairman, said homeowners willing to clean these sidewalks are welcome to do so, too.
The two residents called the Indiana statehouse and talked to the trail advisory board that said most trail systems choose not to clear the trails due to liability issues. They also discussed other trails in the state and how often they get maintained. Steuben County, for instance, has a trail that is cleared often due to liability issues.
Beasley and Gralle said they also often pick up trash while walking. They said trash receptacles would be helpful.
In other news, the committee heard an update on the Conklin Bay project. The boardwalk is 75% complete and should be done in one or two weeks. Concrete and asphalt work still need to be done, possibly in March or April, depending on the weather. Executive Director Erlene Yentes said she met with WACF regarding signage for the boardwalk area. An executive meeting will follow completion of the work to discuss the details as the project wraps-up.
Yentes said she wants to do a video of the project from start to finish. Bob Smith and Yentes have met with Jeremy Van Lue and Phil Huffman to start the video about the Conklin Bay project. The new video will focus on a section on how they install the boardwalk. The video will be helpful when applying for awards and future funding for grants, said Yentes. Drone footage of the project will be used, said Christian Baybutt, project estimator of Selge Construction.
“A polished video would be nice,” said Smith. “I’d like to send this video to Sen. Ryan Mishler.” He suggested sending a video to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, too.
Baybutt and Smith gave more specific details on two sections that need to be completed.
“We can do concrete but not asphalt,” said Baybutt. “The asphalt work will take one day to do.”
“We have to get a new easement from WACF,” said Smith. “We are close to doing the outlook. We will pull all of this together, this week and next week. We are close.”
“We are working closely with WACF,” added Yentes.
In other matters, Yentes said a final report was submitted to K21 Foundation and Dekko for two grants.
Yentes gave a recap of this year’s Winter 5K warm up. There were 51 runners. Of the 37 percent of runners surveyed, “the feedback was “good overall,” she said.
Tour des Lakes is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Yentes submitted a grant request Feb. 4 to the K21 Foundation. She is also working on other funding. A $50 gaming license is needed for the raffle for the event, scheduled for Saturday, July 18.
In other news, Dr. Tom Edington gave the treasurer’s report. There was $3,761.90 in donations in January and $8,303.31 in expenses.
The next meeting is a 6 p.m. Monday, March 16.