By Mary O’KEEFE

The purpose of a Boy Scout Eagle Project is to give the Scout an opportunity to “plan, develop and give leadership to others,” according to the requirements. Scouts look for a project that can benefit the most in their community and to reach the level of Eagle Scout takes dedication and determination.

Due to the pandemic, local Scout Ivan Tyler drew upon every ounce of dedication and determination to complete his Eagle Project, choosing Mountain Avenue Elementary School as the beneficiary of his Project.

“There was a lot of eugenia that was diseased,” Tyler said of the plants that had been in the planting beds in front of Mountain Avenue.

COVID-19 restrictions made him reevaluate his original Eagle Project – something that would help children in foster care – so he turned to his former elementary school and thought he could help there.
In front of the school is a tall brick retaining wall that doubles as a planter. Tyler, who lives close to the school, noticed the plants were diseased, dying and growing “wild” in some areas.

“There were topiaries that weren’t maintained, so we took those out,” he said.

The topiaries were placed and designed by a former teacher at Mountain Avenue who has since retired. Tyler wanted to update the garden with drought-resistant and California native plants. Part of his project involved researching the best plants for the area and to create a garden that was environmentally responsible.

He organized his crew, which consisted of members of his Boy Scout Troop 319, and parents. In addition to creating a schedule and making sure everything was done on time he had to create a COVID-19 plan that included having on-site hand sanitizer, masks and gloves.

“Everyone had to stay [six feet] apart,” he said, adding at times it was difficult because everyone was so happy to see each other again that they wanted to be near each other.

Because Tyler attended Mountain Avenue he had unique knowledge of what students would want to see and how to create a garden that would most benefit the school.

“I wanted kids to be able to see the cars as they pulled up,” he said.

Prior to cleaning the garden area there were tall plants that obstructed the view of the car pick-up/drop-off lane. When standing on the top of the campus near the entrance to the school it was difficult to see what cars were driving through the pick-up/drop-off lane. By cleaning the garden and installing plants that will not grow too tall, once back in school kids will have a clear view when their family comes to pick them up.

Tyler raised money by reaching out to companies for support. Park Plus, he said, was very generous in their support, along with others.

“I learned how to organize and to think about every possible situation,” Tyler said of life lessons he learned from his project, “and how to plan ahead. I also learned leadership skills.”

Tyler has committed to maintaining the garden into next year.