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Parks board discusses CAP/ORE funding and letters of intent for county trail projects
Summary
Board members discussed how to pursue state ORE/CAP funds and whether to submit letters of intent for several trail projects, including the Syracuse‑Wawasee Trails, a Pearson‑Winona Lake connection and possible work near the Slate property; timing, matching requirements and local support were central concerns.
Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board members spent a substantial portion of their May 2025 meeting discussing how to pursue ORE/CAP funding for local trail projects and whether the board should ask county commissioners for permission to submit letters of intent.
Board members identified multiple candidate projects: the Syracuse‑Wawasee Trails extension (including a possible connection to the middle school), a Pearson‑to‑Winona Lake link, and segments north from North Webster. Participants also raised a question about Dilanac Park, adjacent to the former Donnelly property where an EV company called Slate is developing nearby property; board members said it is unclear what Slate will do with that park land and that the situation remains uncertain.
Tracy Ford, identified in the meeting as director of the Syracuse‑Wawasee Trails effort, said coordination with K21 alleviated fears of direct competition between Syracuse’s bid and the county’s submission: "We shouldn't really consider those to be in direct competition," she said, adding that each proposal could have a role. Mike (board member) summarized the county’s funding context as coming out of a larger pot and suggested the county has set aside a portion for well‑being projects; he noted uncertainty about the county portion, saying "that's either 4 or $5,000,000. I don't remember off the top of my head." The board agreed that submitting letters of intent is a necessary first step to have a seat at the table and that a letter of support or memorandum of understanding from the local unit of government (or the county) is a required element of the letter of intent.
Meeting discussion covered eligibility and timing. Participants said the CAP funding stream is intended for small communities and that the CAP committee evaluates letters of intent and then issues invitations to apply. According to materials discussed at the meeting, each CAP‑eligible project may request up to $500,000 and matching funds are expected on a dollar‑for‑dollar basis (50/50 match). The frequently asked questions material reviewed by the group indicated that the last full application round may take place in the summer of 2027, although specifics on allocation and final spending deadlines remain to be clarified by the CAP/ORE administrators.
Board members also reported a recent $10,000 Health by Design grant tied to Safe Routes to School and noted that a small Friends of the Trails fund at the Community Foundation has been established; the board was told the foundation approved the fund and that initial donations have started (the first recorded donation was $50). Staff recommended coordinating letters of intent with county administration and with commissioners because a county letter of support is a requirement for county‑sponsored submissions. Several board members said they would follow up with local project leads, with USI and K21 contacts, and with county staff to clarify which projects the county should place on its letter(s) of intent.
No formal vote or commitment to file a specific letter of intent was recorded during the meeting; members said they intend to come back next month with clearer recommendations and to seek commissioners’ permission where required.
