Local boy scout, Corey Miller, of Troop 92 in Bellwood recently presented plans for his Eagle Scout Project.
Scouts are required to complete a service project that benefits the community in order to reach the rank of Eagle Scout. Miller’s plans for an Emergency Service Memorial Park which will sit across from Excelsior Fire Hall will qualify him for the honored position.
Through a power point presentation, Miller shared his plans for the park with members of the fire company and the community.
The plans included stamped cement, benches, a gazebo and a memorial in honor of the men and women who serve the community through the fire and police departments and emergency services. Miller also has several landscaping ideas for the use of plants and shrubs.
According to Miller’s plans, the triangular memorial will stand on a four foot circle made of granite or marble. Three, 15 to 20 foot flag poles will be placed in the center of the memorial to hold flags representing each of the three service departments being honored. Each side of the memorial will also represent either Fire, Police or Emergency Services.
“I was looking into telescoping poles, when you take it down it folds up inside of itself,” Miller said of one possibility for the flag poles.
Miller also studied the cost of creating such a park, allotting specified amounts of money for the cement, benches, gazebo, lights, landscaping, flags, the monument and miscellaneous expenses. He estimated the total cost to be $7,650.
To be able to pay for these costs, Miller has several ideas for fundraisers. He suggested that the fire department, Ambulance Association and Bellwood Borough may wish to make donations toward the new park. Possibly the benches, which Miller would like to be made of recycled plastic, could be sponsored by area businesses.
A spaghetti dinner fundraiser was already approved and the fire department agreed to hold the dinner at the fire hall if the Boy Scouts would sell the tickets.
Miller’s troop, Troop 92, will also help raise funds. The boys plan to start recycling and Miller pointed out this is another area where the community could get involved.
Several organizations have already helped with the project. The fire company donated the site for the park and GACTC classes helped in several areas, including drafting and getting the proper dimensions. Of course Miller’s troop is going to help with a lot of the labor when the project gets to that stage. He said the troop plans to help dig and lay stone, landscape and raise funds for the project.
In a very organized fashion, Miller laid out a time table for the expected completion of each step in the process, from when he hoped to pour the cement to the final dedication. Miller indicated he hoped to be able to hold the dedication ceremony on Memorial Day 2007.
Miller explained his reasoning behind the park, saying it will honor members of the service departments, improve the vacant lot, provide and emergency service and community event area and serve as conversational seating for residents. He thanked the fire company and Mr. Joseph Whiteford for their time and help.
A representative from the fire department added, “We’ll be behind you 100 percent.”
Then he offered Miller $1,000 to get the things started. He explained the money was given to the fire department to start the project and they agreed to pass it along to Miller and the scouts.
