(L-R) Mayor Joseph
DeStefano, Eagle Scout Wiley Matthews, assistant scoutmaster Debbie
Levin, scoutmaster Todd Matthews, and other eagle scouts at the
dedication of a walking bridge at Maple Hill Park in Middletown on May
27, 2016. (Yvonne Marcotte/Epoch Times)
MIDDLETOWN—Eagle Scout Wiley Matthews found a unique way
to beautify Maple Hill Park in Middletown—create a 12-foot walkway that
crosses a small stream near the park’s pond.
Mayor Joseph DeStefano was on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony on
May 27 and said that the bridge is a great addition to the park. “Kids
get a bad rap,” the mayor said, “so it’s great to call attention to
young people doing something good like this.”
Matthews worked with John Bianchi, the city’s Working Supervisor of
Parks and Recreation, to find a project. The Parks Department often does
not have the manpower for new projects, Bianchi said, and he welcomes
Eagle Scout projects. This is the fourth project that Eagle Scouts have
contributed to Middletown parks.
Bianchi said park visitors would try to cross the stream at its
lowest point. In fact, on a day Wiley and his father, Todd Matthews,
were at the site before the bridge was built, Todd said a woman tried to
cross the stream and fell on the slippery rocks.
Wiley designed the walking bridge with the help of engineer Eric
Fellenzer from Fellenzer Engineering LLP and presented two or three
draft plans for Bianchi and the mayor to review.
According to Eagle Scout Noah Levin, who was there to celebrate the
ribbon cutting, the bridge is strong enough to hold at least 12 people.
He knows that because the troop stood on the bridge to test it out after
it was completed.
An added feature of the new structure is that it is portable.
Wiley said he and his helpers built the bridge at home and delivered it
to the site. “It can be taken down for renovation or repair or moved to
another location,” he said.
Wiley hails from Wallkill. His father is also Scoutmaster of Troop
300 of the Hudson Valley Council. “A project like this teaches scouts
how to help other people and the community,” he said.
Assistant Scoutmaster Debbie Levin says scouting teaches life skills.
She said only four percent of youth in the scouting program attain the
rank of Eagle Scout.
0 comments:
Post a Comment