How DC’s oldest Boy Scout troop built a new bridge in Linnean Park

by John Burwell

One weekend in early January, William Wales, a junior at Jackson-Reed High School, led Boy Scout Troop 100 in building and installing a boardwalk bridge over a small waterway in Linnean Park. This fulfilled the requirements for his Eagle Scout service project.

As regular park visitors know, the old log footbridge was uneven, deteriorating, and slowly sinking. Eventually, it would have blocked water flow from the spring-fed valley stream. The new bridge is a welcome and a considerable trail improvement for Linnean Park and will serve the Forest Hills community for many years to come.

William and I connected in early October 2022 through email, as it was known I have experience working with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with projects in Rock Creek Park. William told me he was “most interested in a project to improve the environment or nature.”

Days later, William and I met in Linnean Park to search for a project that would be a lasting and significant improvement for visitors. As we walked through the park, I casually pointed out the bridge. I was not intending to suggest he consider this as a project, but mentioned that “one of these days” it would need to be replaced. But that’s the job he chose. I was surprised, and a bit skeptical, but very impressed with William’s high confidence that he and his troop could build a much-needed bridge replacement.

Later in October and in November we met several more times at the bridge, taking measurements, and discussing options for construction design. The meetings included other park volunteers who were familiar and experienced with this type of construction.

After sharing numerous design ideas and specifications, William submitted detailed plans to the scouting authorities for approval and I signed forms as “beneficiary” of the project. In the meantime, plans were submitted to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation for their approval. DPR Parks and Environmental Manager Watani Hatcher was impressed.

“When I first saw the blueprints, I was ecstatic in the scope of work the Scouts wanted to perform on the Linnean Park Trail,” Hatcher wrote.

William even showed plans to the “civil engineer for the White House … and he says everything looks good.” With design plans approved and formalized, and a list in hand of construction materials, William initiated and easily achieved his fundraising goals. Building supplier TWPerry offered a community service discount and delivered lumber to the park without charge. We were also very appreciative of Linnean Park’s next-door neighbors, who donated electric power for the project.

My concerns from the beginning centered on the unknown factor of removing a section of the existing footbridge to guarantee unblocked water flow. Days before demolition and construction, we made some test cuts to the bridge and determined it was doable, but we were reluctant to demolish any portion of it until were were ready to build a new one. We wanted to keep the bridge closure to a minimum for park visitors.

The two-day project began early on Saturday, January 7th. While holes for the bridge’s concrete supports were dug, chainsaws were fired up to cut the log bridge. To our dismay, we soon discovered the bridge, while rotted on the surface, was sturdy and solid oak at its core. Under William’s watchful eye, a complement of 20 Scouts, volunteers and parents contributed brains and brawn to all aspects of demolition and construction.

It took a lot of chain sawing, axe swinging and pike chipping to slowly and incrementally open the old bridge for free water flow. On the second day, we were still working to cut a generous opening in the old bridge. Although we’re satisfied that our efforts were adequate and will allow even stormwater to flow through, the opening is narrower than originally specified and desired.

Once the end supports of the new construction were secured and the bridge deck support was in place, the top decking went on quickly.

And, we were eager to witness the first crossing by a random park visitor. Our patience was rewarded when a woman and her (unleashed) dog approached. She crossed easily but her dog was hesitant to approach this unfamiliar structure. It elected a natural crossing through the mud and water.

William’s leadership assured a smooth process, easily moving the project forward. He even directed a surplus of volunteers to pick up trash and cut a tree that had fallen across the trail.

William wrote afterward about how he had learned from older scouts working on their own Eagle Scout projects in the past. So, he said, it was exciting for him to be in a position to pass along what he had learned to the younger scouts in his troop, and to serve the community.

“It was good to introduce them to new skills and opportunities, and while it was hard work I enjoyed learning how to coordinate the materials and logistics of a project such as this one,” William wrote. “I am glad I had the opportunity to improve the safety and experience in my community.”

Troop 100, based in Tenleytown, is the oldest Boy Scout troop in our nation’s capital and one of the oldest in the nation. It celebrated its first 100 years in 2017.

Thank you William and Troop 100! Your contribution is – and will long be – appreciated.

John Burwell and the Linnean Park Partnership lead trail maintenance, tree protection and invasives removal projects in Linnean Park. Please contact John at pinehurstprojectdc@gmail.com for more information and volunteer opportunities.