New Executive Director Launches Wawasee South Trail Project in Syracuse

The Kosciusko County Parks & Recreation Board meeting on March 20, 2025, featured a significant update from the new executive director of the Syracuse Wawasee Trails, who began their role in January. The director expressed enthusiasm for the position and gratitude for the community's support, particularly regarding the Wawasee South project.

The Wawasee South project, a 2.2-mile trail segment, aims to enhance connectivity for Syracuse students and families, providing a safer route for residents of South Shore Lake Wawasee to access the Conklin Bay segment without navigating busy roads. The director highlighted the project's potential to fulfill community desires for a complete trail around Lake Wawasee, a goal that has been discussed since a feasibility study in 2021.

The director emphasized the importance of this trail segment as a foundational step toward connecting the east and north sides of Lake Wawasee and eventually linking to North Webster, facilitating town-to-town connectivity. The long-term vision includes integrating with the Kosciusko County Greenway.

Currently, the engineering phase of the project is underway, with USI Engineering leading the efforts for the initial 1.2 miles. The director noted the importance of fundraising to support the project, mentioning solid backing from local organizations and a successful fundraiser held in August. The committee is actively seeking further collaboration with the town of Syracuse to secure additional funding for this ambitious and beneficial project.

Overall, the meeting underscored the excitement surrounding the Wawasee South project and its potential impact on the community, marking a significant step forward in enhancing local recreational infrastructure.