Facelifts For Flowerbeds, Greenhouse & Compost
By Randy Thompson
Special to the GPHN
On Saturday, Oct. 3, a team of Boy Scouts descended on the 2800 block of Fairfax St. to improve the Greater Park Hill Community. East High Freshman Jack Thompson completed his Eagle Project with the help of Boy Scout Troop 376.
Thompson’s Eagle Project included three improvements for the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Working with GPHC Executive Director Rebecca Born, Thompson identified three key areas that could use upgrades and improvements: rebuilding the flowerbeds along the 2800 block of Fairfax Street, refinishing the GPHC greenhouse in corrugated galvanized steel, and rebuilding its compost system.
To complete the project Thompson, 14 and a lifelong Park Hill resident, reached out to Mark Reher, who is actively involved in scouting in addition to managing the Denver True Value at 6480 E. Colfax. Denver True Value donated a large amount of the materials and supplies to complete this project.
Thompson assembled his team from Troop 376 at 9 a.m. to start the projects. He had brought in most of the lumber, dirt and mulch ahead of time. He supplied the boys and several parents with donuts as he described the various jobs and assigned duties to his crew. Each team then got to work on their task.
Scoutmaster Richard Miller of Vitruvian homes oversaw the difficult and potentially dangerous cutting and installation of the corrugated metal on the greenhouse. There were teams working on all three projects simultaneously, with a break for pizza at midday. New flowers and additional vegetation will be planted in the new planters in the spring.
Troop 376 includes boys from Park Hill, Stapleton, Mayfair, Buckley and other neighborhoods. The troop also includes a Venture Scout program, which allows young women to be active in the troop’s activities. Ben Brackett, Jonny Brackett, Kristine Brackett, Luca Griego, Aiden Ocampo, Patrick Hayes, Henry Weisman, Sam Goetz, Cullen Connally, Aaron Joy, Sage Miller, Chris Brackett, Sean O’Connell and Veronica Goetz all worked on the project. Parents working that day included Jeff Brackett, Mike Hayes, Scott Joy, James Garrett, Randy Thompson, Laura Thompson and Chuck Kubin.
For additional information on Troop 376 visit: http://troop376.us/.