Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Thursday, May 02, 2013

Maryland Recreation And Parks Association Recognizes Local Eagle Scout

(Photo attached; pictured from left to right, Matthew Purkins, Carroll County Recreation & Parks, MRPA President; Wendy Donley, M-NCPPC, Prince George’s Co., MRPA Awards Chair; Gavin Stephens)

On Thursday, April 18, the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) recognized local Eagle Scout Gavin Stephens with the 2013 Community Volunteer Award for his outstanding service to the West Salisbury Little League Park.

In November 2011, Stephens chose to build a playground and make improvements to the West Salisbury Little League Park for his Eagle Scout Leadership Project. Stephens wanted kids to have a place to make friends and create a community park that families could enjoy year-round.

Initially, Stephens raised over $17,000 in six months by selling engraved brick pavers and collecting donations from community leaders and civic organizations to build a small playground at the park. Along the way, Stephens met with Gary Mackes, Director of Wicomico Recreation, Parks & Tourism and discovered the opportunity to apply for a Program Open Space Grant, which could help provide a larger playground and additional improvements to the park including water and sewer upgrades and sidewalks. In September 2012, Stephens testified before the Maryland Board of Public Works on behalf of Wicomico County and his project was awarded a $135,000 Program Open Space Grant.

In November 2012, Stephens led a team of over 50 volunteers in the construction of a $40,000 playground consisting of a large play module with two slides, monkey bars and swing set, wood timbers for playground borders, landscape fabric and mulch. Community volunteers logged over 300 service hours to complete the project. Stephens personally spent over 150 hours on the project, which took 12 months from conceptualization to completion.

West Salisbury Little League Park is located at 1406 Pemberton Drive in Salisbury.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Way to go, Gavin!

Anonymous said...

look at his past he should not be an eagle scout

Anonymous said...

Dang, man! That's OUTSTANDING! And, 156, please post YOUR judicial case past for us!