An Eagle Scout project is beautifying around the tennis courts in Mount Vernon and working to provide windbreaks in the future.
Tommy Ferguson, member of Boy Scout Troop 40, said he had the idea when he was playing tennis on the courts during gym.
“I found it was oftentimes windy, which made it harder to play, as the wind whips around the ball and I get hair in my face,” Ferguson said.
He notes he doesn’t play on the tennis team, but knows many people in the community use the courts, so helping create more permanent windbreaks for the future seemed like a project worth exploring.
For Ferguson, the hardest part of the Eagle Scout project was finding funding.
He initially talked with Matt Thede about the possibility of asking the booster club to help with donations.
Ferguson and scout leaders came up with a fundraising plan to ask local businesses for help.
“Once I knew what my final budget would be for the project, Matt Thede said the district could see a budget of $800 to assist with this project,” Ferguson said. “That was a huge relief, as my final cost is $414.25, well within that budget.”
The other issue has been getting water to spigot to help water the flower beds and trees that are part of the project.
“The farthest flower bed is 550 feet away from the spigot, so we have to drag multiple hoses connected together to reach that garden every few days to water these flowers,” Ferguson said. “It’s just a physically demanding and difficult task to complete that takes about an hour each time to complete.”
Ferguson said he learned a lot about flowers and trees, specifically what trees would make great windbreaks.
“I know all about taking care of flowers and trees and I’m thinking next year I might even plant my own garden using the knowledge I’ve obtained from this,” Ferguson said. “I also learned a lot about leadership, specifically how to lead adults, as they would all have more experience than me and might try to take over the project. I know how to strike the right balance between not relying on them to lead but also being able to ask them for advice if I need it.”
Ferguson said he is looking forward to seeing this project in the future as the trees gain more footing.
“In 20 years, when these trees are much taller, people will think ‘gosh it’s nice these trees are here to block the wind,’” Ferguson said. “Not only is this project functional but it also looks good with the flowers.”
Ferguson said he is looking forward to completing the final portions to obtain his Eagle Scout badge, something he has been working on the last six years.
The only merit badge he needs to complete is a small part of his cooking merit badge and his board of review.
Ferguson had three Scouts’ help on day one of his project, Isaac Stevenson, William Stevenson and Theo Bradbury.
Ferguson said all of the flowers planted, a total of 86, were donated for free by Roberta Lympus, who resides in Swisher, 86 in total. The trees were purchased at Kelly Tree Farms in Clarence.
“I would also like to extend thanks to Dan Gaines, my project coach for this project, who has helped me so much,” Ferguson said. “He has taken his time out of his day to help me plant and to figure out the logistics of everything. Without him, I would be lost in this project.”
Preston Johnson of Mount Vernon donated time to till the flower beds with his tractor, and Garry’s Foods lent the hoses to water the flower beds.
Ferguson said all that help has made the project a reality, and more than 100 hours went into it.
“It has been so awesome to see this all come together,” Ferguson said.
Dan Gaines, William Stevenson, Isaac Stevenson and Theo Bradbury work on one of the flower beds at the tennis courts, part of Tommy Ferguson’s Eagle Scout project.