Kyle Marten strives for Eagle Scout status with improvements to East Pond in Mt. Pulaski

 

[January 20, 2025] 

In the past few years, several scouts have completed Eagle Scout projects that benefit the community in some way. Kyle Marten’s project at the edge of the East Pond in Mt. Pulaski is one example.

Eagle Scout service projects are a requirement for any youth to earn their Eagle rank. These projects require a significant effort to complete.

An Eagle Scout planning guide website says these projects require the scout “to plan, organize, and direct a project of significant value…[and gives them an] opportunity to demonstrate leadership qualities.” The project must directly benefit the community.

A November 2024 blog by John Dear on Eagle project ideas says, “Eagle Projects are more than just a requirement—they’re a valuable life experience.”

Dear list four ways the projects are crucial:

First, the Eagle Scout projects build Leadership Skills, because, as Dear says, they “push scouts to lead a team, coordinate resources, and manage time. These skills build a foundation for future leadership roles.”

Second, each project has a community impact as it “focuses on improving the community, instilling a sense of responsibility and civic duty.”

Third, scout have personal growth scouts from doing the project. Dear says, “Completing a project is challenging but rewarding, helping scouts grow in resilience, confidence, and problem-solving.”

Fourth is the legacy. As Dear says, “Successful projects leave a lasting positive impact, allowing scouts to leave a legacy they can be proud of.”

Marten said, “I chose my project because I had been fishing at the pond before and noticed that the sign was older and in bad condition. The landscaping around it was overgrown and I thought that it would look better if it was updated. Then I realized that I could do it as my Eagle Scout Project.”

For the project, Marten chose to make a frame to hold a new sign and work on the flowerbed to make it look better.

As far as actually completing the work, Marten said the project took about a week for the staining for the boards of the flower bed and about 6-8 hours for the actual assembly of the sign and the bed. However, the planning and the coordination of the project took weeks if not months.

There were some costs involved with Marten’s project as there with any Eagle Scout project. Marten said, “I did not fundraise any of the money. Lincoln Farm and Home donated hardware, and the Mt. Pulaski Park District covered the cost of materials. The rest of the cost was covered by me and my family.”

This project benefits the community by making the park look nice and more inviting. It has created a new habitat for pollinators and will give the park something nice to have for a long time.

The project Kyle Marten did near the East Pond in Mt. Pulaski certainly provided him with valuable life experiences. The work involved helped Marten build leadership and problem solving skills while at the same time having a positive community impact and leaving behind a legacy he can be proud of.
 

[Angela Reiners]