A public ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for the Conklin Bay Boardwalk and Trail. The ceremony will be conducted by the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 30, at the entrance to the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation headquarters on SR 13, south of Syracuse.

The ribbon cutting represents a significant step forward for the trails committee. It received a grant in May 2019 from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Next Level Trails program. Construction began in October. While the last section of the Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail was completed in March, the trail officially opened in May.

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 …read more.

SYRACUSE— Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee had its first meeting of the year Monday, Jan. 20. The board heard updates on several projects and plans for 2020. Construction is moving along for the Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail project. Construction began Oct. 13 and will be completed in the spring of 2020. Photos of the work were …read more.

SYRACUSE — Mark your calendars for the Wawasee Winter Carnival Friday and Saturday, Jan. 24-25, sponsored by Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission and Lakeland Youth Center. The festival will begin with a soup supper fundraiser Friday evening, Jan. 24, and will continue with activities during the day Saturday, Jan. 25. Kiwanis Soup Supper …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee had a great year. One major project was started while others have been completed. The committee also hired a new executive director. The trail committee is part of the Syracuse-Wawasee Parks Foundation, a not for profit corporation. The committee is comprised of all volunteers who live and work in the …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee wrapped up its end-of-the-year business and also received an update on the Conklin Bay project at its monthly meeting Monday, Dec. 16. While it was the last meeting of the year for the committee, it was the first meeting for the new executive director, Erlene Yentes. Work on the Conklin …read more.

  SYRACUSE  — The Conklin Bay boardwalk project is expected to begin approximately Monday, Oct. 14, the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard Monday, Sept. 16. A pre-construction meeting was conducted Monday morning at Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s office in Syracuse. At the meeting was Robert Smith, a board member, and representatives of the project’s contractors. There was …read more.

SYRACUSE — During its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 27, the Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation reviewed finances and a report from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation in regards to the Syracuse Community Center endowment, which it manages. Foundation treasurer Tom Edington talked about the finances from the month ending July 2019, which included funds for the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails. He …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Conklin Bay Trail and Boardwalk has moved off the table and became a reality today when ground was broken to begin construction. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at noon today, Monday, June 10, near the area where the trail will enter the wetlands on the property of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation. …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee discussed a new project and the possibility of bike rentals at the Monday evening, Nov. 27, meeting. A new trail is being proposed along Syracuse-Webster Road. Commonwealth Engineers has completed the engineering designs for the proposed trail along the west side of Syracuse-Webster Road. The company has submitted the designs …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard from a concerned homeowner at its meeting Monday, July 17. A concern was raised by a homeowner on Harkless Drive regarding flooding. Arlene Dickerson, who has lived on Harkless Drive since 1996, said water from the sidewalk/trail is coming into her house. While she said she loves the sidewalk/trail …read more.

SYRACUSE – The 2017 Tour des Lakes sees a record number of participants.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee recently received a $100,000 grant from the Dekko Foundation, as well the opportunity of $100,000 more in matching funds. Planning for the Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail has been progressing slowly during the past two years, but things are speeding up now. All the permits are in place and the …read more.

SYRACUSE — Citizens of Syracuse will no longer have to play “Frogger” to cross SR 13 in order to continue on the Pickwick Drive section of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail. According to Megan McClellan at the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee meeting Monday, April 17, work on the crosswalk will likely begin at the beginning of June — …read more.

SYRACUSE — Dan Ernst, a landscape architect with Earth Source, Fort Wayne, presented a detailed update on the Conklin Bay boardwalk project during the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail meeting Monday, March 20, talking about the approximately 90 percent complete draft of construction documents for the entire length of the corridor. He noted the permit process alone has …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee met Monday, Feb. 20, and discussed the financial report at great length. Due to the amount in the available general funds account, Megan McClellan, executive director, suggested moving some of the money into another account. She said the amount may be a deterrent when asking for some grants. There is …read more.

SYRACUSE — The SR 13 crossing project has been approved by Indiana Department of Transportation, the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee heard Monday, Oct. 17. A pedestrian light will be installed at the intersection of SR 13 and Pickwick Drive. The town is interested in helping, said Megan McClellan, executive director. “We are waiting to hear how …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Eli Lilly Road trail widening project has been completed. Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee and other members of the community took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Oct. 3, in Syracuse. The new section is 2,100 feet long, or about 0.4 miles. The project was made possible by donations and the K21 Health Foundation. …read more.

SYRACUSE — Issues with the Eli Lilly Road trail widening project were discussed at the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee meeting Monday, July 18. Pulver Asphalt and Paving started construction Monday, July 11, but the work had to be suspended. “There have been some complications,” noted Executive Director Megan McClellan. The county called her and she met …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Eli Lilly trail widening project will start Monday, July 11, the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard at the Monday, June 20, meeting. The project is expected to take six to eight weeks. Pulver Asphalt and Paving will do a directional boring and cut and pour curb. Letters will be sent to homeowners this …read more.

SYRACUSE — While the weather at first threatened a soaking walk, the slight drizzle lessened and eventually ceased as about 25 walkers set off on the Next Indiana Campfires walk Thursday, June 9, along the Syracuse Lake portion of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail. The goal? To connect nature, literature and Indiana’s bicentennial.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee met Monday evening, April 18, and Megan McClellan, executive director, gave the committee an update on several trail projects.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Park Foundation Board approved a quote from Patriot Tree Services LLC of Goshen for $3,500 to remove dead and dying trees along the creek behind the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, March 22. Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, explained many of these trees are ash trees.

SYRACUSE — Drainage issues on Eli Lilly Road are still a problem, the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee heard the evening of Monday, March 21. The committee is proposing a bike/pedestrian trail along Eli Lilly Road. “There’s still some drainage issues,” said Megan McClellan, executive director. Pulver Asphalt located where the water drains into Lake Wawasee. However, …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee has received $34,500 in grants from the Greenways Foundation of Indiana and two grants from the Kosciusko County Convention Recreation and Visitor’s Commission. This has been a great start to the year for the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee, said Megan McClellan, executive director for the trails. The Greenways Foundation of Indiana …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission met at 9 a.m. today, March 9, to discuss grants, disbursements and advertising to bring more tourism into the Kosciusko County area. Jill Boggs, executive director, Kosciusko County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, brought financial reports from the CVB for review. Boggs reported the ledger holding …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee discussed goals and gave an update on current projects at its first meeting of the year Monday evening, Jan. 18.

SYRACUSE — The Kenneth and Lela Harkless Foundation announces it has awarded $94,000 in grants to organizations in the Syracuse Community according to James E. Caskey, foundation president. The grants were awarded to: Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee, $13,500 Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, $11,250 Syracuse Parks Department, $9,900 Syracuse Cemetery Association, $9,000 Teen Parents Succeeding, $9,000 Lakeland Learning …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation has given a generous donation to the trails. “The Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee is extremely grateful to the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation for their generous donation of a $250,000 to the trail system,” said Megan McClellan, executive director. This donation is not for any specific project or trail section. …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee met Monday evening, Oct. 19, and Executive Director Megan McClellan gave updates on the Conklin Bay and the Eli Lilly Road trail projects. Both trails are moving forward.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee met Monday evening, Sept. 21, and heard plans for the Eli Lilly Road trail project are moving forward.

The Dekko Foundation has awarded the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee a $13,584 grant. The grant will go toward the design and permitting of a boardwalk and trail across the Conklin Bay wetlands and parallel to SR 13 to Grandview Drive.

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Lake Association met for a productive morning discussion at the Syracuse Community Center on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Beginning at 8 a.m., Carla McLain and Bill Trame greeted guests at the door and welcomed them in for a warm breakfast and coffee. As Syracuse residents mingled and ate, the room quickly began to fill. Presentations began at 8:40 a.m.

SYRACUSE — Join the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce for its grand opening and ribbon cutting at its new location, 108 Main St., Syracuse — the former Leisure Pool building. The open house will occur from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 29. Craft meats and cheeses will be available to sample from the chamber’s new …read more.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee discussed the Harkless Drive section of the project at Monday night’s meeting. Megan McClellan, executive director, said this section of the trail is due to be finished on time and under budget. There is an additional stormwater drain that needs to be installed. There are issues on the section of the trail …read more.

Syracuse Wawasee Trail Committee met Monday night and discussed a Boltage recording system for two, local Wawasee schools. Megan McClellan, executive director, said the cost for two systems is $12,140. They will be located at Syracuse Elementary School and Wawasee High School. “It’s a counting system,” she said. “It records when children get to school, …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.

Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation met Monday and heard updates from several of its committees on various projects, including the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail project. Mike Buhrt, who serves as the liaison between the foundation and the trail committee, said new trails Executive Director Megan McClellan had secured a Safe Routes to School grant, which will be used in …read more.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee discussed updates regarding ongoing projects at Monday evening’s meeting. Executive Director Megan McClellan met with several homeowners along Eli Lilly Road to discuss widening the narrow section of this trail. The committee is hoping to get donations from a few families to match the donations of neighbors. They also want to put …read more.

K21 Health Foundation has awarded the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee a generous grant for the construction of a sidewalk-trail on Harkless Drive from Palm Drive to SR 13. The trail committee received a $50,000 grant from the foundation. The committee met Monday evening to hear the good news. K21 Health Foundation is making it possible to …read more.

Town Manager Henry DeJulia, Syracuse Town Council and town department heads are looking forward to 2015. “I want to continue building a community where people want to visit and live, where everybody wants to be,” DeJulia said. He pointed out the town has taken on quite a few projects most small towns don’t specifically address. …read more.

With a new budget for 2015, Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee met Monday night to wrap up some business and prepare for 2015. For the first time since the committee’s inception, executive director Megan McClellan submitted a budget. McClellan discussed the budget with committee members. The budget is for known expenses, she told the board. The budget …read more.

By MEGAN MCCLELLAN Executive Director, Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee Syracuse-Wawasee Trail is moving south. Though the trails committee has been working on trails for 10 years, the majority of these trails are sidewalk style trails in the city of Syracuse and around Syracuse Lake. The Miller Family Foundation is helping to continue the trail south by …read more.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee met Monday evening. The meeting started around 6 p.m. with Megan McClellan, executive director, chairing the majority of the meeting. McClellan has been in her position for about three and a half months, so much of Monday night’s discussion related to what committee members would like to see in the future. First …read more.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee gave an update on several trail projects at Monday’s meeting. The Syracuse Lake project is very close to finishing, with just a couple of minor places left to finish. “That completes the five-mile loop around Syracuse Lake,” said Megan McClellan, executive director. As far as the Harkless Drive project, the committee is …read more.

Chad Jonsson announced Megan McClellan will be the new executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail. The announcement was made during the trail committee’s regular board meeting Monday. McClellan was one of six candidates considered and currently lives in the Cincinnati area, but is in the process of relocating to Syracuse. McClellan has worked on trail …read more.

Indiana Department of Transportation recently notified the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee it would not be receiving the $1.5 million grant it requested to put a trail segment on SR 13. This is the second time the trail committee has been turned down by INDOT for a grant application regarding the same segment of trail. The first …read more.

Application deadline for the executive director’s position with the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee is Wednesday, July 25. The committee hopes to have a director hired by Aug. 1. Mike Buhrt, committee chairman, reported at press time that the job had been posted and only one application received. Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, said he sent the posting …read more.

Syracuse Park Foundation board approved accepting a donation from an anonymous donor to pay for an executive director’s salary for the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night. Mike Buhrt, trail committee chairman, explained a sub-committee has come up with a job description and the trail committee would like to have a …read more.

Mike Buhrt, chairman of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee, announced a local family has come forward willing to hire a director for the trail system for two years. The announcement was made during the trail committee’s regular monthly meeting Monday night. Buhrt explained a sub-committee of the trail committee met and created a job description. The …read more.

Now that Old Man Winter has finally moved on, Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee discussed trail maintenance during its regular monthly meeting Monday night. Committee member Bob Trame brought up several maintenance issues. He met with Larry Mock, who has agreed to trim back the brush on several sections of trail on Cornelius Road. Trame noted there …read more.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee made a presentation to county commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. The committee is seeking support for the SR 13 trail section project in Syracuse. The trail committee is seeking a federal grant and the county would have to be the signatory on it. The county’s approval is needed because a portion of the …read more.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee approved a donation of $5,000 to the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex for a walking trail around the ball diamonds during its regular monthly meeting Monday night. The donation still must be approved by the Syracuse Park Foundation. Park superintendent Chad Jonsson explained the trail will be 2,600 feet, just 40 feet shy …read more.

A late winter squall kept most members of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee from venturing out for its regular monthly meeting Monday night. Only Sam Lehman, Donn Baird, Bob Trame and park superintendent Chad Jonsson started the meeting. Dr. Tom Edington and Jerry Wright arrived a bit late. Without a quorum, the group was able to discuss …read more.

Phil Beer II of USI Consultants attended the Syracuse-Wawasee’s Trail Committee’s regular monthly meeting Monday night to discuss plans to create a trail along SR 13. Beer, who grew up in the area, stated that his company does a lot of work within the county. Beer explained to the committee that there are changes taking place …read more.

The Syracuse Park Foundation approved a contract for the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee to hire Marsha Carey as a grant writer. Carey’s contract is for 12 months for $20,000. Mike Buhrt, chairman of the trail committee, told the foundation board Carey came with three very strong referrals. “We’re looking forward to raising some money,” he said. …read more.

As the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee continues to move forward with a plan to create bicycle/pedestrian paths through the lake community, the committee recognizes the need for a grant writer. Mike Buhrt, chairman of SWTC, told the Syracuse Park Foundation at a meeting this week, that the trail committee currently does not have a lot of …read more.

Approximately 14 people, representing service clubs and local groups, attended the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee meeting Tuesday night. Mike Buhrt, who has taken over leadership of the committee, explained this was the first official meeting of the committee after undergoing a restructuring. Sandy Buhrt has agreed to take over the trail project’s website. Donn Baird, treasurer, …read more.