Eagle Scout candidate Gaylan Gregan put together a plan to get trees donated and planted for extra shade at Benton’s Tyndall Park. Rineco in Haskell bought $200 worth of trees from Cox Family Gardens in Benton. On Saturday, November 8th, 2008, the planting began, with neighbors and local Troop 53 helping. Former Boy Scout Mayor Rick Holland agreed to verify completion to Gaylan’s local BSA Council. The following is a collections of photos and description from the day’s work.
Well, 3 out of 5 MySaline volunteers at the tree planting at Tyndall Park isn’t bad. We were there from about 8 to 1030am today, and put 15 trees in the ground. Some oak, some cypress and some other kind of of thing.
There were about 10 or 12 of us there and each of us got a turn at digging, raking and mulching. There are are even pictures to prove that I was working! Also my back will probably be grumpy with me in the morning.
Thanks so much to those who showed, and for those who didn’t, we know where you live and you’re lucky that we’re tired. Very nice to meet the Jaggle family, both immediate and extended. Gaylan wasn’t the only scout there. There were also a couple of Boy Scouts from Benton’s Troop 53.
l-r, Don White, Jennifer Gregan, Leif Gregan, John Moritz, Robin White, Curtis McCormack.
Shelli Russell and Don White lookin’ busy.
Yes, I was posing here, but I actually did a little bit of work.
I dug three holes, packed mulch on four and um… took a lot of pictures.
The Eagle Scout candidate, Gaylan Gregan, packing dirt and mulch around an oak tree.
Dirty dirty mulchy mulchy.
“Hey, look, Jimmy Hoffa’s Kroger Discount Card.”
I forget which of Gaylan’s uncles is Pete and which one is John.
“Hey, did anyone know this is a pet cemetery?”
Uncle Pete or Uncle John, Gaylan, Shelli’s shadow and um, who was standing next to me? Curtis?
Hrm. I was trying to take a picture of our dirty shoes, but their shoes were
already brown and mine kinda glowed so you can’t see the dirt.
Rick Kirby supervises Benton Troop 53 Boy Scouts John Moritz (left) and
Leif Gregan as they dig a spot near the stream for the Cypress tree to get plenty of moisture.
Artsy shot. OoooOOOOoooo!
I asked Leif and John to look like they were working so I could take a good picture. Three seconds pass, John looks up at Leif and says, “Are you posing? Just work!”
Still working on the trees on the south side of the Juli Busken Amphitheatre.
View of Leif and John’s efforts from the walking bridge.
Jennifer takes over supervising the scouts as they deposit an oak
into the hillside, near the corner of Border and Hoover Streets.
They made quick work of it and we later topped it off with some red mulch.
(l. to r.) John and Leif break to pose for the camera lady who was
insistent that she get the scout t-shirt fronts in a photo.
Rick Kirby prepares a home for an oak to replace one that died
on the east side of the stream, near Border Street.
Lastly, a large tree and a bag of mulch is loaded into the “red convertible,”
which Curtis McCormack drives to the southwest corner of Tyndall Park.
Oh wait, we did have a little more raking and mulching to do.
They’re small now, but in years to come, they will be a great asset to the park.
Uncle Pete or John and Gaylan.
RK pours some mulch.
Mulchy Mulchy
RK gets a little mulching help from his kids.
Pat pat pat pat pat!!
(l. to r.) Regan, Liam, Rick, Gavin
(Is that right, Rick? I don’t know which twin is which.)
If you’ve been watching the Tree Planting topic, you’ll know why this photo has some significance.
See more backstory below, on how this project came about, right here on MySaline.com!
Tyndall Park Eagle Project
Posted by Gaylan on August 7, 2008 at 4:47pm
Hello everyone!
I am Gaylan Lewallen. I am a Boy Scout in Hammond, LA. I have been looking for an Eagle Scout project to do. My mom found out through MySaline that Tyndall Park needs more shady areas. For my project I would like to plant trees to help out.
The first question I’ve gotten is “Why do you want to do a project so far away?”
I need a project and my mom’s family lives in and around Benton. This would be a great way to stay connected.
It is also a good way to say “Thank You” to everyone up there who helped all of us down here after Hurricane Katrina hit.
Another question was “How are you going to do a project so far away.”
I’m finding out that the planning of the project is the biggest part. Before the Eagle Scout committee can say “No” to me doing a project in Benton, I have to plan the whole thing out. I sure hope they don’t say no.
I am coming up this weekend to meet with Mr. Brown and maybe Mr. McCormick too. After I figure out how many trees to plant and where to plant them I can do all the rest of the planning down here. Then we can all meet on Planting Day and put the trees in the ground. I don’t know when that is yet.
Another question was, “How are you going to get all the trees up there?”
I would have to buy them up there.
I will need to tell show the Eagle committee that I have plenty of help in Benton. I will need people to donate money for trees and people to help plant on Planting Day. People can also donate trees. For Planting Day will need post-hole diggers, shovels, gloves, water, and snacks. And lots of people.
I need to contact the Boy Scout troops in Benton to see if they can help on Planting Day. If you know any of the Scoutmasters, will you ask them to email me? Thank you.
If you can help with donations or Planting Day? Please let me know. You can just respond here.
Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on August 25, 2008 at 5:28pm
Concrete plaNNing, not concrete planTing.
—–Comment by John West on August 25, 2008 at 4:54pm
Jaggle – It’s been approved!!!!! He’s got a little paperwork to muddle through and then will be ready for more concrete planning.
Concrete??? I thought he was planting trees!!
—–Comment by Shelli Poole on August 25, 2008 at 2:52pm
Thanks Chris. You’ll be able to protect us from a grass roots movement.
—–Comment by Chris Eaton on August 25, 2008 at 1:36pm
I”m in, I’ll help plant if I’m off. If I’m on I could provide security lol.
—–Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on August 25, 2008 at 1:01pm
It’s been approved!!!!!
He’s got a little paperwork to muddle through and then will be ready for more concrete planning.
—–Comment by Greg White on August 18, 2008 at 5:21pm
How did you do that? I’m in for planting. I possibly could start a Live Oak from a cutting. Man those things grow like crazy here. I started one from a cutting 6 years ago and now it is 25 foot tall.
—–Comment by Shelli Poole on August 18, 2008 at 2:32pm
I’m in for the planting.
—–Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on August 18, 2008 at 2:28pm
Great ideas!
Gaylan is supposed to be figuring out which ones are best.
Some one here is donating 3 – 5 trees – 1 cypress to go on th “island” in the creek, 2 river birches for along the banks and possibly a live oak or two.
—–Comment by Mike Penn on August 18, 2008 at 1:29pm
I’ll help. I’d like to know how much the trees of choice are, as well.
—–Comment by Jen @ Benton Automotive on August 18, 2008 at 1:16pm
We’ll donate atleast 4 bodies to help with the labor when it comes time. Any idea how much trees cost? God Bless & good luck.
—–Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on August 18, 2008 at 12:45pm
Hey there, everyone!!!
Gaylan meets witht he Eagle Coordinator tonight.
He’s looking at planting about 15 trees around the playground. Two of the trees will go by the little play set by the skate park.
He needs to be armed with an approximate number of volunteers. If you think you might be able to help out on a Saturday in October or November, please reply here.
You are not obligated to the date seeing as it’s not set yet.
Also, if you own a business that would like to donate a tree or ten, please let Gaylan know.
Or – If the company you work for woud like to donate a tree or ten, ditto.
Thanks a million!!!!!
—–Comment by Sara on August 8, 2008 at 1:21pm
I would love to help you dig holes and plant those wonderful trees. I also volunteer my husband who is an eagle scout. Just put on this site when and where you need us, and also if you will need food and drinks for the volunteers we will bring whatever you need. Sara
—–Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on August 8, 2008 at 10:18am
Thanks everybody!!! Keep the ideas and offers to volunteer coming.
The boy is off to school today. He’s got quite a few calls to make when he gets home.
—–Comment by Greg White on August 7, 2008 at 9:38pm
As a former Eagle Scout, I will be glad to help. Scout master at Troop 33 is Greg Nalley. His phone number is (501) 794-4845. Also, the Cooperative Extension office of University of Arkansas for Saline County can be reached at www.uaex.edu/Saline This office may can find you some free trees!
—–Comment by Cheryl on August 7, 2008 at 8:56pm
count me in also
—–Comment by Shelli Poole on August 7, 2008 at 8:24pm
Gaylan, two people here who might be good points of contact for scout troops here are Benton Mayor Rick Holland and State Senator Shane Broadway. You can find the Mayor at www.benton.ar.gov and Sen. Broadway is a member here. They are both very involved in scouts. I’d like to help with your project when it comes time to plant. You might consider calling nurseries in Benton to see if they’d like to donate trees since it will likely get in the newspaper that new trees are going in and that they donated them as part of a scout project. Cox Gardens is one I can think of. I know there are other tree farms around here. Just Google ’em up.
Eagle Project Update
• Posted by Gaylan on September 9, 2008 at 12:57pm
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Thank you to everyone wanting to help with my Eagle Scout Project.
Here’s an update.
1. I need to pick a date. What is a Saturday in November that nothing is going on in Benton? I prefer the 8th or the 15th.
2. Mr. Robert Cox at Cox’s Nursery said he will hold all trees anyone buys for the project. I need to send him a list so I can know who bought what. I have to record all that info.
Please wait to buy a tree until I say it’s okay.
3. My project superviser wants me to turn a list of people who are planning on helping.
Please email me if you are interested in coming.
THNAK YOU VERY MUCH!
—–Comment by Greg White on September 12, 2008 at 10:49pm
Count me in and I have talked to Mr. Cox about buying two Live Oaks if that is needed.
—–Comment by Sara on September 12, 2008 at 12:08pm
Gaylan, My husband and I would love to help in any way we can. I am Sara Perry and you can e-mail with date and times. As I said before, my husband is an eagle scout and helping you out would make him very happy. We will also contact the local scout group that my son made eagle scout in and see if any of them can help. My e-mail should be on my profile here. Sara
—–Comment by Shelli Poole on September 9, 2008 at 4:51pm
I’m in to help!
—–Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on September 9, 2008 at 2:08pm
I don’t think he has.
Tree Planting at Tyndall Park
• Added by Jennifer Lewallen
Time: November 8, 2008 from 8am to 4pm
Location: Tyndall Park Lower Playground Area
City/Town: Benton
Phone: 985-320-0635
City Tags: eagle, scout, community, service, project,eaglescoutgaylan, eagle-scout, gaylan, gregan,trees, tyndall, park, benton, saline, county, arkansas,2008, 0811
Organized By: jaggle and Gaylan
Latest Activity: Jan 10
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Event Description
Here’s the plan for Planting Day!
Saturday, Nov. 8th
Start: 8:00 am
End: 4:00 pm at the latest (It will be faster with many hands and strong backs. How long can it take to plant 15 trees?)
We’ll meet in the parking lot at the lower end of the park by the playground equipment.
What to bring:
Volunteers
Gloves
Post Hole Diggers (Labeled with your name)
Shovels (Labeled with your name)
Water (Do we have a volunteer with one of those huge sports coolers?)
If you would like to donate a tree or two, please make your purchase at Cox Family Gardens. Robert Cox has agreed to put those trees aside and will deliver them to the park on Planting Day.
If you would like to donate money, snacks or drinks email jaggle or Gaylan for details.
eaglescoutgaylan, eagle-scout, gaylan, gregan, project, trees, tyndall, park, benton, saline, county, arkansas, 2008, 0811
Comment by Shelli Poole on November 8, 2008 at 3:03pm
Here’s where the Benton Courier first ran a story on the tree planting.
Here’s the MySaline version of planting the trees.
Look for the planting to appear in the Benton Courier and the Saline County Voice soon.
—–Comment by Shelli Poole on November 7, 2008 at 10:01pm
bump
—–Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on November 7, 2008 at 4:30pm
It’s 4:30 in the pm and the van is loaded. We’ll be hitting the road shortly.
See you all in the morning. We’ll have donuts and juice.
AND you’ll get to see the humongous scrape that Gaylan added to the entire length of the van.
—–Comment by Shelli Poole on November 7, 2008 at 3:05pm
I’ll see everyone there in the morning. Dress dirty and bring your digging tools!
—–Comment by Jen @ Benton Automotive on November 3, 2008 at 2:44pm
Sorry, I can’t be there, but I will go by Cox’s and make a donation.
—–Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on October 21, 2008 at 12:09pm
Kirby and Hunter,
Thank you so much!
—–Comment by Shelli Poole on October 21, 2008 at 10:51am
Yayyy!
—–Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on October 13, 2008 at 9:36pm
Robert at Cox Family Gardens has a list of the trees that Gaylan picked out.
He’ll put aside all trees purchased for the project.
—–Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on October 13, 2008 at 2:32pm
As os right now. We are still on. Gaylan has a another meeting with the Project Coordinator this week.
Feel free to buy trees from Cox Family Gardens!
Eagle Scout Project is on!!!
• Posted by Jennifer Lewallen on October 16, 2008 at 11:42am
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First, thank you to everybody who was volunteered so far in helping my son, Gaylan, with his Eagle Scout Service Project. Everything seems to be on track. So mark Saturday, November 8 on your calendars.
Some of you might be asking yourselves, “Huh? What’s going on?”
Here’s the skinny:
My son is working on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. To do so, he must complete a service project that he has planned, organized, and implemented. He is organizing a group of volunteers to donate and plant shade trees in Tyndall Park. He would love to have you donate a tree or mulch through Cox Family Gardens (315-1420), volunteer to help dig holes and plant trees, bring a snack for the volunteers, or any combination of the previous.
Planting Day is Saturday, November 8th beginning at 8:00 am.
PRAY FOR GOOD WEATHER!!!!
Good News Update:
Several members of MySaline.com have committed to help out.
Troop 53 is going to help out.
Mayor Holland has agreed to verify completion to Gayln’s local BSA Council.
Someone has already purchased trees from Cox Family Gardens.
Rineco has donated $200 toward the purchase of trees.
—–Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on October 30, 2008 at 9:43am
I commented on your page before I read this one.
Good luck at the competition!
—–Comment by Jan B. on October 30, 2008 at 9:31am
We have State Dance compettion in Conway all day on the 8th. I love planting – wish I could help.
—–Comment by Jennifer Lewallen on October 16, 2008 at 11:43am
Shelli, would mind re-activating the Event Post so it appears again?
Gracias, Bitte schoen, Thanks