Eagle Scout transforms local church’s grounds
Eagle Scout Will Stopps sits on one of the benches in the newly-landscaped area he built and installed for Faith Lutheran Church.
By Elizabeth Wood West with photos courtesy of the Stopps family
Members of Faith Lutheran Church in Castle Rock are enjoying new benches and landscaping, thanks to 17-year old Will Stopps, Castle Pines Boy Scout Troop 316’s newest Eagle Scout. Stopps’ Eagle project was to develop a landscape plan that would provide seating for parents near the children’s playground area and to install other seating that would screen two unsightly septic tank lids and a gas line.
“The most challenging part of the project was planning it and doing the research for the benches and landscaping,” Stopps said. Stopps drafted a landscape plan; researched and made a budget for attractive yet weather-tolerant materials for five benches and landscaping; developed a detailed construction/installation plan for the benches and landscaping, including an estimate of man hours; and managed a crew of volunteers that ranged from two to 27 people each work day.
The three benches for the septic tanks and gas line were built from kits and have bases that won’t sink into the lawn; the benches can be easily moved to allow for servicing of the septic tanks. The two other benches were installed next to large mature pines that provide shade, but had ruined grassy areas. Stopps laid weed barrier, placed river rock gravel, and used garden timbers to keep the gravel in place and define the seating area. The project took just under two months to finish. Stopps said, “The best part of the project was finishing it; it felt so good to accomplish something I’ve been chasing for years.”
Stopps is a Castle Pines resident and a junior at Rock Canyon High School. “I wanted to become an Eagle Scout because I wanted to reach Scouting’s highest rank, as well as prove to myself that I can do something to benefit my community,” said Stopps. “Looking back, Scouting has taught me a lot of lessons that have helped me through high school and I know will come in handy later in life,” he said. Stopps plans to attend college after graduating in 2012 and eventually to start his own business.
