Megan Davis
McDonald County Press
An Eagle Scout from Boy Scout Troop 95 of Anderson is hoping to improve the maneuverability of the town's ballpark through the implementation of a much needed service project.
Joey Herberger, 17, has been a scout for nearly seven years. When it was brought to the troop's attention that heavy rains had created a ditch between the parking lot and baseball fields that was six inches deep in spots and full of washed up rock, Herberger took action and began advocating for improvements.
"It looks like the bottom of a creek bed," said Troop Leader Robert Lincecum of the ditch.
Because the rut spans the length of the parking lot in front of the ball fields, anyone wishing to watch a game must first navigate the rocky pass. This poses a special problem to those attending with young children in strollers as well as those in wheelchairs or motorized scooters, noted Lincecum.
For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Herberger would like to construct a foot bridge over the ravine. The bridge would be 24-feet-long, five-feet-wide, made of concrete and wood, and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This would allow the runoff to pass underneath and prevent the need for continual upkeep of the ditch.
Herberger presented the idea to the Anderson City Council during their September meeting. Council members, along with a number of city employees, agreed to meet at the location on Oct. 1 to discuss the feasibility of the project. At this time the proposal is still being considered.
Serving others is one of the fundamentals of the Boy Scouts. Each scout must complete an allotted amount of service hours as well as complete a service project regularly. Not only would this project help Herberger and the troop to give back to the community, it would also help them hone a variety of skills such as handling carpentry-grade power tools, framing a structure, and pouring concrete in addition to fostering a sense of leadership.
General News on 10/08/2015