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LEWISBORO, N.Y. Its been more than a year in the making but an Eagle Scout project to improve and extend a nature trail between Increase Miller Elementary School and Fox Valley Park has finally been completed.
A.J. Goncalves began the project in early 2011 and spent the last year attending myriad board and committee meetings, raising funds, collecting materials and recruiting volunteers to help make the project a reality.
This past week, he attend a town board meeting and a Katonah-Lewisboro board of education meeting so they could sign off on the project something the Boy Scouts require before he can take the next steps in getting his Eagle Scout designation.
Its been a great experience, Goncalves said. But Im glad its finally finished its a big relief. Im happy people will finally get a chance to use it. It was great to see it go from just an idea to an actual thing.
Goncalves said the project was actually finished on New Years Eve. However, after getting the town board and school board to sign his Eagle Scout booklet, there are a few more steps he has to take.
I still have to a give a project report to the Boy Scouts of Americas Muscoot District Advancement Council, he said. Then I have to go through an interview. Then they decide.
Goncalves goals were to make the trail ADA compliant, improve the entrance, provide overflow parking for both school and park events, encourage residents to walk and bike to the school and recreation facilities, and provide a safer alternate bike route for part of Route 138. The project included the construction of several wooden bog bridges and upgrades to the trails existing outdoor classroom.
A.J. did a fabulous job, said Lewisboro Deputy Supervisor Peter DeLucia. He found something that needed attention and rejuvenated it and now many students can use it for generations.
Supervisor Peter Parsons called it one of the best Eagle Scout projects hes ever seen.
Its a great project this wasnt something done by a contractor, he said.
Council Member Dan Walsh suggested that when warmer weather arrives this spring, the town design some kind of event that would center on the new and improved trail.
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