At the May 2025 meeting, the Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board spent an extended portion of its agenda discussing how to approach OrthoWorks (ORE) funds and the Community Amenity Program (CAP) — a $5 million pool earmarked for small communities — including whether the parks board should submit letters of intent or ask the county commissioners to do so on its behalf.

Board members and staff described three candidate projects the county might support: the Syracuse Wawasee Trails extension toward the middle school (which several speakers said is furthest along and has significant engineering work completed), a potential Pearson-to-Winona Lake connection, and a site near the Slate (EV company) property that includes Dilanac Park. Participants also discussed North Webster as a possible segment but said Syracuse Wawasee Trails currently appears more grant-ready.

Tracy Ford, identified in the meeting as director of the Syracuse Wawasee Trails, told the board she had conferred with regional partners and was advised that Syracuse’s project and the county’s submission should not be considered direct competition; both could potentially receive funding. Board members reviewed process questions about the CAP program, including that the CAP application process is invitation-only after an initial letter of intent, that matching funds are required (dollar-for-dollar), and that preference is given to projects tied to small communities or unincorporated areas. Members repeatedly noted the need to coordinate letters of intent with the county commissioners, to confirm timing and application deadlines, and to avoid imposing undue workload on municipalities and nonprofits while details of the CAP administration are finalized.

No final decision to file specific letters of intent was recorded. Board members agreed to follow up: staff will continue discussions with local project leads and with the CAP administration, the parks board may ask the commissioners to approve submitting letters of intent for county-level projects, and the board will revisit priorities at a future meeting once application logistics are clarified.