March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 49 F

Thank A Scout

Eagle Scout Badge, Type 4
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Scouts And Your Parks

You see them every year like clockwork. The boys are hawking popcorn and the girls are peddling cookies. And of course you buy a little to support a good cause. But do you really know what Boy and Girl Scouts do for you?

This week, Anne Arundel County Executive, John R. Leopold honored local scouts for their contribution to the County parks. It seems that when they weren’t selling munchies, they were busy making Anne Arundel County better for us all.

I commend the initiative and leadership skills these young men and women demonstrated to complete their projects. Their efforts made a distinct difference in our park system and improved the quality of life for all Anne Arundel County residents.  It is my hope that the County and our local scouts will continue to enjoy this productive partnership for many years to come.

John R. Leopold, Anne Arundel County Executive

Please take the time to read the full press release from the County Executive (after the jump) and consider the benefits County residents receive based on the hard work and efforts of these kids.  Read the names and look at the projects. ANd the next time you see one, tell them thank you!

Annapolis, Maryland (January 13, 2010) – County Executive John R. Leopold today honored local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for their significant contributions to the County’s park system. Throughout 2009, twenty-four scouts supervised hundreds of volunteers and devoted thousands of hours on community projects that enhance County parks.

“I commend the initiative and leadership skills these young men and women demonstrated to complete their projects,” said County Executive Leopold. “Their efforts made a distinct difference in our park system and improved the quality of life for all Anne Arundel County residents.  It is my hope that the County and our local scouts will continue to enjoy this productive partnership for many years to come.”

The scouts organized friends and families to assist in their endeavors.  They also sought donations from local businesses to cover the cost of materials and supplies.

Patrick Owens earned the Boy Scouts’ William T. Hornaday badge, presented “for distinguished service in natural resource conservation” for removing the invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and Japanese Stilt Grass (Microstegium vimineum) from the forest at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary.

To earn their Silver Award, Girl Scouts Emmett Carstens and Kaitlin Creamer planted milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), trumpet-creeper (Campsis radicans) and angel-pod (Matelia caroliniensis) in the meadow of Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. They also created informational signs and a notebook to educate the public on native vines.

The majority of scout projects were created to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, the pinnacle of any boy’s scouting career. Nationally only 4% of all Boy Scouts earn the award. In 2009, twenty-two Boy Scouts achieved the rank of Eagle Scout by successfully completing projects within Anne Arundel County parks.

The Department of Recreation and Parks welcomes proposals for similar projects from other scout and community groups. Contact them at (410) 222-7317 for additional information.

Congratulations to the following Eagle Scout Projects completed within the County park system in 2009:

  • Alex Aiello erected ten bird houses and two large bird feeders in the Downs Park meadows.
  • Alex Bates installed a bulletin board and three flower box planters along the WB&A Trail.
  • Gabriel Coffelt placed flying squirrel boxes at Ft. Smallwood.
  • David Cottrell built a bulletin board along the WB&A Trail.
  • Nick Doyle constructed a new set of stairs to provide a safe path to the Downs Park dog beach.
  • Jon Evans set up a new bulletin board for the pier area at Ft. Smallwood.
  • Zach Franklin installed an information kiosk at the Glendening Nature Preserve at Jug Bay.
  • Alex Federer built a loafing shed for the animals at Kinder Farm Park.
  • Nick Geneva installed six benches at jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary
  • Daulton Hatcher erected a fence around the dumpster in Ft. Smallwood.
  • Alex Kamman designed an information board for Linthicum Park.
  • Joshua Law removed over 400 tires from the Little Patuxent River in the Oxbow Natural Area.
  • Andrew Leuschner placed six benches at the Downs Park meadows.
  • Shane McCormick fabricated three large handicap accessible benches at Haven Wood Park.
  • John Percivall created a nature trail and installed sigs in General’s Hwy Corridor Park.
  • Alec Pugliese placed fishing line recycling stations at Ft. Smallwood.
  • Vincent Ragalski installed a bulletin board in the playground area at Ft. Smallwood.
  • Charles Reed erected a bulletin board for the Downs Park car top boat launch to hold information regarding rules and regulations of the boat launch and water safety instructions.
  • Chris Seto designed a bulletin board featuring plants and animals found in the Downs Park meadow.
  • Allen Shank made a stone fire pit in the Youth Group Camping Area at Downs Park.
  • Jesse Snader installed a brick pathway and a large flower box planter along the B&A Trail.
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