Matthew Grover’s Eagle Scout project started last winter.
His mission? To create three evenly spaced park benches along the Tonawanda Creek at Kiwanis Park in the Town of Batavia.
With the help of his dad, Troop 6006, many businesses in the area and the Town, the project was officially dedicated on Wednesday evening in a ceremony.
Grover made a sheet metal form from scratch from which he poured six concrete bench legs, from there he created the seat and back of the bench using trex decking, fastening them to the concrete.
“I wanted to do something that was hands on, fun and challenging,” says Grover.
“I wanted something that I could remember and be remembered by. This is a really beautiful park and I feel like improving it will allow us to help improve our community.”
He says it was a handy learning experience with endless challenges and a lot of problem solving was involved.
“At one point it proved very difficult and I often had no clue how to solve a simple issue, but with the help of my personal engineer, my father, it turned out better than I could ever imagine. I believe the skills I learned will help at college, in the military and in the workforce.”
The Town of Batavia was most appreciative of the new benches.
“Kinda brings a tear to my eye,” says Greg Post, Town Supervisor.
“When I was his age my first job for the Town was to create this footprint, carve it out of a landfill and an old bend in the Tonawanda Creek. This brings absolute joy to my heart from someone who planted these trees 40 years ago, and to have someone now add these benches so people can enjoy this, it guarantees the community the pride and the love people have for their township.”
(Photo 1-Grover with Dr. Salmon of Salmon Orthodontics, who donated funds to help complete the the project, Photo 2- Grover with Brad and Marcia Veley of Veley Masonry who helped with materials and masonry)
Grover with Joe’s Awards and Trophies for a finishing touch plaque place on each of the benches.
Other businesses involved in the project were Unidex Machine Shop, TR Goldsmith and Son and Don Anderson, a leader in the troop.