Eagle Scout service projects are to thank for some recent Broad Branch park improvements

This refurbished picnic table and new footbridge at Broad Branch stream are courtesy of an Eagle Scout service project. (photos by John Burwell)

If you walked the daylighted Broad Branch stream over the summer, you may have noticed a few improvements. Those are courtesy of two Eagle Scout projects. John Burwell, a longtime Broad Branch and Linnean Park volunteer, explains:

Last June, I welcomed and was happy to collaborate with two Life Scouts, who endeavored to gain their Eagle Scout status with service projects in Broad Branch. Jackson, of Troop 100, directed members of his troop (and adults, too) in refurbishing an existing dilapidated picnic table with new wood. The renovated table has been relocated to a lovely shady spot beside the stream, where you can listen to the frogs, have a picnic or enjoy quiet contemplation. And, under his direction, scouts built a safe and level footbridge nearby that allows for easy access to either side of the stream.

Life Scout Charles, of Troop 52, led his troop helpers and adults to renovate another unusable picnic table: repainting the metal frame, replacing the table and seats with new wood, and giving the wood a protective stain sealer. But first, a 12 by 12-foot frame of four-by-fours was built, and the inside ground covered with landscape fabric and several tons of red gravel, which was spread out to create a stable, solid and weed-free base for the table. Again, a valuable resource for park visitors’ enjoyment of the park.

Both of these scouts were in charge of all the work and each endeavored vigorously to include, guide, and teach their younger less-experienced fellow scouts.

These two Eagle Scout service projects have brought welcome additions to the park and will be enjoyed by the community of Broad Branch visitors for many years to come. I hope their experience, from project concept to completion, has been a valuable and meaningful learning experience.