SYRACUSE—A wealth of excitement awaited children who ventured out on the sunny Saturday morning, April 8, for the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Easter egg hunt.

Syracuse Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson brought up the Lakeside Park concession stand/restrooms during the Syracuse Park Board’s regular meeting Monday, March 13, asking for board members thoughts on whether the structure should be replaced or rehabbed. In addition to being an “eyesore,” it was noted the structure’s location made it unappealing for parents to send …read more.

SYRACUSE — The 2017 Wawasee Winter Carnival is back and planned to be better than ever. This year’s event will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Regardless of weather conditions, all but two events will be held. Most events will be held on Main Street, with other events taking place …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Park Board reviewed the department projects in the five-year master plan during its regular meeting Monday night, Sept. 12. Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson commented some projects had been added, some were taken off due to completion and others listed for potential projects they may or may not have time for.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Park Board was asked to review its 2017 budget during its regular meeting Monday night, Aug. 8. Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson explained the Syracuse Town Council questioned the park board’s plan to tear down the concession stand located at the top of the hill in Lakeside Park, removing a set of rest …read more.

SYRACUSE — Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported he is still working on the five-year master plan to the Syracuse Park Board Monday night, July 11. Jonsson told the board he was currently looking at costs and how to fund several proposed projects. He will have more to report on at the August meeting.

SYRACUSE — Overcast skies did nothing to dampen the spirits of hundreds of visitors to Syracuse’s Lakeside Park, Monday, July 4. The crowds turned out in red, white and blue to swim, play volleyball, frolic on the playground and just enjoy the festive atmosphere as the Lakeland Area Community Band filled the air with patriotic …read more.

SYRACUSE — At this month’s Syracuse Park Board meeting, Monday, June 13, Tyler McLead, program coordinator, reported the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum had a busy month. The Syracuse Elementary kindergarten and fourth grade classes visited the museum.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation and Indiana Humanities are hosting a Next Indiana Campfires sunset walk around Syracuse Lake from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, June 9. The outing is part of “Next Indiana Campfires,” Indiana Humanities’ new series that pairs literature and nature to help Hoosiers explore Indiana’s wild places and discuss conservation and stewardship. Attendees …read more.

SYRACUSE — Hundreds gathered at the Syracuse community center and Lakeside Park, Saturday, March 19, for the Lakeside Egg Hunt. The event was well attended despite the windy chill, which made a furry Easter bunny costume sound like a good idea. As the horn sounded at 10:30 a.m., over 200 children, from toddlers to 10-year …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Park Board discussed tree maintenance and spring cleaning around the community center during its regular monthly meeting Monday, March 14. Jerry Riffle, Syracuse Tree Board representative, reported 11 trees will be planted this spring.

SYRACUSE — Any support from others in any way, whether spoken, unspoken, a smile, a note card, a text or a simply a lantern lit in memory of the child gone before, makes a huge statement of compassion and caring for those who often don’t know why or how to cope, particularly during the holidays.

SYRACUSE — A beautiful fall day with temperatures in the low 60s, sunshine and a clear blue sky marked the annual Syracuse Fall Harvest Festival. The festival was held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Lakeside Park in conjunction with the last Syracuse Artisans and Farmers Market of the year.

Syracuse Parks and Recreation board assembled Monday evening, Aug. 10, to hear updates on department projects and program reports.

Syracuse Parks and Recreation board meeting began Monday evening, July 13, with a committee report from tree board member Jerry Riffle, who announced the Indiana Urban Forestry Council is sponsoring a municipal tree workshop Tuesday, July 21, at Lakeside Park. The workshop will be conducted by Lindsey Purcell from the Purdue University Extension Office.

Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival announces their 2015 Young Company touring production of William Shakespeare’s “Love Labor’s Lost” will be performing at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at Lakeside Park in Syracuse.

[weaver_youtube ov4xGXbUKhM rel=0] SYRACUSE – A few of Ligonier’s finest as well as some new faces in the crowd emerged as champions at the 2015 Flotilla Road Race. While the old guard conquered, newcomers were right on their heels, and in some cases, landed on top as the Fourth of July kicked off right at …read more.

Lakeside Park in Syracuse was humming with activities Friday evening such as the group of boys in the photo above who played an impromptu game of soccer in a grassy area. Children had fun on the playground equipment, some enjoyed swimming in Syracuse Lake and others just gathered on the picnic tables or in lawn …read more.

The Lake Area Community Band will light up the evening with audio pyrotechnics before the fireworks display at Lakeside Park Friday, July 3. The Syracuse-based band, approximately 50 strong, will perform for an hour and a half beginning at 7:30 p.m. The play list includes, in order: “The Star Spangled Banner,” “The LACB Song,” “Americans …read more.

Syracuse Parks and Recreation board approved a proposal for the construction of a new pavilion at Lakeside Park during its meeting Monday. Other items on the agenda included updates on the new utility vehicle and programming. Parks Superintendent Chad Jonsson presented members with quotes. Borkholder Building and Supplies of Nappanee offered the demolition and removal of …read more.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee met Monday night to discuss several ongoing trail projects, as well as updates on existing projects. Plans for the Conklin Bay portion of the trail were discussed. Megan McClellan, executive director, said the wetland delineation will cost $4,620. “We have money for this section but it’s for laying trail,” she said. The …read more.

Monday evening, Parks Superintendent Chad Jonsson presented several items on the agenda to the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board during their monthly meeting. Jonsson announced the installation of a batting cage at the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex is in the plans for the upcoming season. Discussions continued as the board looks at options for the …read more.

Lakeside Park pavilion and spring programming were among the items discussed at the Syracuse Parks and Recreation board meeting held Monday evening. Committee reports came from Jerry Riffle, representing the tree board. Riffle reported a tree is still part of spring planting at Ward Park. Riffle added park superintendent Chad Jonsson reviewed the emerald ash …read more.

Syracuse Parks and Recreation board reinstated Mary Hursh for another term as a member of the committee during its regular monthly meeting Monday evening. Jason Traycoff reported he will not be returning for another term but is willing to assist in other ways. The board continues to look for a replacement to fill the available …read more.

No matter your age, there will be a variety of fun activities at the Syracuse Fall Harvest Festival available to you from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11. And this annual festival has grown so much over the years that it is going to be hosted at Lakeside Park, located along North Shore Drive …read more.

[weaver_youtube mkKVCJx2h30 rel=0] SYRACUSE – There is so much natural beauty in Kosciusko County, and the Tour des Lakes was one way to spotlight long paths of enjoyable visual, as well as physical, wellness. The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, the Syracuse Rotary and the Syracuse Parks Department again sponsored the Tour des Lakes, or also …read more.

SYRACUSE – The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, the Syracuse Rotary and the Syracuse Parks Department are again sponsoring the Tour des Lakes, or also known as the Liberty Bike Ride, set for July 12. The event will emanate from the Syracuse Community Center and Lakeside Park. Registration for the Tour begins at 7 a.m. and …read more.

SYRACUSE – The Wawasee Kiwanis will host its seventh annual Wawasee Triathlon August 9 at Lakeside Park in Syracuse. The Kiwanis are taking registrations for up to 300 participants for the triathlon and also a duathlon. Anyone interested in participating in the events is required to be at least 15 years of age, whether running …read more.

Jordan Swain came before the Syracuse Park Board to propose having boat races on Syracuse Lake during the park board’s regular monthly meeting Monday night. Swain explained there used to be races on the lake and he and others would like to bring them back. Swain belongs to the Northern Indiana Outboard Racing Association and …read more.

The much anticipated, annual snowmobile drag races presented by the Wawasee Kiwanis and held on Syracuse Lake at Lakeside Park, 1013 N. Long Drive, will be Saturday, Feb. 1. There is no black out date. Lunch will be available on site on the day of the race. Registration is from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. …read more.

Friday night, March 22, there will be an Easter egg hunt for middle school aged students in the dark starting at 9 p.m. Bring a flashlight and a bag. This will be held at Lakeside Park in Syracuse and one lucky winner will get an iPod Touch at the free event. Saturday morning, March 23, …read more.

SYRACUSE — There wasn’t a major need to be an Ironman during the running of the Wawasee Kiwanis Triathlon Saturday in Syracuse, but it didn’t hurt to be made of Steel. Mark Watson of Fort Wayne, admittedly a newbie to the triathlon circuits, rallied from way back to win the event at 1:07:47. With a …read more.

The National Weather Service is reporting record high temperatures have been reached today. As of 4 p.m., the NWS reported a record high of 101 degrees at Fort Wayne. That ties a record for this day set in 1955. In South Bend, the thermostat hit 100 degrees. The last time temperatures reached that high there …read more.