WPOA pledges to match donations up to $10,000

A feasibility study for future trails in the Syracuse-Wawasee area is getting underway. Along with that is the need to raise funds for the cost of the study.

A price tag of $100,000 has been put on the study. Grants from K-21 Health Foundation, Kosciusko County Community Foundation and Harkless Foundation in the amount of $68,000, along with $12,237 from additional donors supporting the study, approximately $20,000 remains to be raised.

Wawasee Property Owners Association has stepped forward to help reach that goal. WPOA has pledged up to $10,000 in matching funds, according to Kay Young, WPOA president.

The study is needed to help the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails committee develop a strategic plan to expand the trails to provide safe and attractive non-motorized transportation routes to parks, lakes, schools, neighborhoods and businesses. There are three trail sections being studied: Section one — Kern Road/CR 1200N/Syracuse-Webster Road and Chicago Street; section two — Waco Drive, Vawter Park Road, CR 800E and Hatchery Road; and section three — Hatchery Road, Turkey Creek Road and Bishop Road.

To learn more about where the trails could go next and to help with the cost of the feasibility study, visit the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails website at www.syracusewaaseetrails.com. To make a donation click on the green “Donate Today” box in the upper right of the home page.

The study is being conducted by USI Consultants Inc., of Indianapolis, with offices in LaPorte, Vincennes and Fort Wayne. The kickoff for the study was announced March 29, and should take approximately six months to complete.