When thinking about a project that would benefit the community, Eagle Scout candidate Justin May of Troop 241 immediately thought of the library. “I spent a lot of time in the children’s room when I was little,” Justin said. “I went to a lot of programs and always participated in the Great Library Card Adventure. It’s a great place.”
Justin reached out to Director of Children’s Services Rachel Fox, who knew exactly how Justin could help. Fox embraced the idea of Justin and his troop addressing several issues in the garden so it could be a safer place for the children who use it.
The plastic border fences that were supposed to keep the children out of certain areas were broken. The plastic storage unit was broken. Fox also asked Justin if he could build a raised garden where she could have educational workshops.
Justin went to work planning to build 64 feet of stained wooden picket border fence, a raised garden and a beautiful storage unit. He met with carpenters, architects and Fox many times to make sure everything would be as she wanted it.
All the construction was done by Justin and his troop at his house. In September, when everything was built and stained, the transport and installation took place.
Fox was very impressed with Justin’s thorough planning and execution of the project. “You not only solved some problems we were having in the children’s garden of the library, but made it more attractive as well,” Fox wrote to Justin. “The short fence that you designed will make the garden a safer place for the children as they will no longer be able to wander into areas that are potentially harmful. And the raised garden bed makes for a perfect educational area giving me the opportunity to teach our young patrons about the importance of vegetable gardening and composting.”
The results are for all to see and enjoy at the Port Washington Public Library’s Children’s Garden.
