Park foundation members appreciate anonymous donations

By Elisa WalkerStaff WriterSyracuse Park Foundation met Tuesday, April 24, with all members present. The foundation reviewed the finances, concluding they are in good shape and moved on to discuss projects.A donor, who wished to remain anonymous, made a generous personal contribution of $22,000 to the Conklin Bay trail project, and also donated $100,000 in the name of his own family, pushing closer to the funds needed. As soon as the necessary funds are reached, the next phase of the project will begin. All foundation members were impressed and grateful for the donation.Parks Superintendent Chad Jonsson commented the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation easement will be presented to the foundation to review when it’s put together.Jonsson briefly discussed Lakeside Park’s restroom construction, reporting everything is continuing as scheduled and will hopefully be completed by Memorial Day weekend.Foundation members inquired about the tree planting day that happened in Laudeman Park April 21. Jonsson replied a total of 31 trees were planted with 23 participants. It was a good opportunity to introduce people to the park, which is beginning to resemble the idea the parks department intended it to be.The next scheduled foundation meeting is 6 p.m. May 22.