ThisWeek CW 10/22/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/10/19/guiler-park-improvements-part-of-eagle-scout-project.html
After receiving the support of Canal Winchester City Council in July, Kevin Diehl has earned his Eagle Scout rank with the completion of his project at Guiler Park.
Diehl asked for approval to install a brick paver patio, benches and a new flagpole in the park.
“When I was trying to come up with a project, I knew that I wanted to do something that would last,” Diehl said. “I realized that there was no flagpole at Guiler Park and decided I wanted to put a pole and resting area with it. I chose Guiler Park because I’ve grown up in Canal Winchester and when I was in preschool, we used to go to that park and play, so I wanted to give back to it.”
On Oct. 4, Diehl joined his family, fellow Scouts from Troop 103 and city officials to raise the flag and complete the dedication. Mayor Michael Ebert issued a proclamation at the Oct. 5 Canal Winchester City Council meeting thanking Diehl for the project and recognizing his outstanding citizenship.
“The dedication of the flag on Sunday was a very nice ceremony that I was glad to be a part of,” Ebert said.
Public Works Director Matt Peoples, who helped sponsor the project, agreed.
“It was a really nice ceremony and the flagpole and benches and paver stones there look really nice and should keep looking good for a long, long time,” Peoples said.
According to Diehl, he was able to obtain several donations to make the project happen.
“The city of Canal Winchester donated the flagpole and benches. Mr. Tom Obert from our troop donated most of the other materials I needed,” he said. “I communicated with Mark Clotts from the Hamilton Parker Co., too, and he donated all of the pavers that were used.
“Tools and labor were donated by different members of the troop and I also received monetary donations from friends and family.”
Working with the city and finding donations taught Diehl about how much work is needed to bring a project like this to fruition.
“This project taught me a lot about what goes into all of the behind-the-scenes parts of anything,” he said. “I learned how to organize contacts, resources and people to complete my project.
“Throughout my time in Boy Scouts, I’ve gained leadership skills and I truly put all of these skills into effect.”
Diehl said he hopes his project will promote patriotism and will provide a place for him to reflect on a mentor who has died.
“I chose to dedicate my project to all who have served in the United States Armed Forces because the idea of this project was to promote patriotism in our city,” he said. “I also dedicated it to Tim ‘Fluffy’ Sperling. He was someone who really influenced me, not just in Scouts, but in life. Tim always knew how to make something out of nothing and he could make anything fun. I was lucky enough to be close with Tim before he passed away on Sept. 7, 2011. Tim was a huge inspiration to me and so many others. His memory will forever live on.”