Eagle Scout projects enhance county’s recreational trails

Tue September 16 2008
Posted Sep 16, 2008
6,238

Cresco, Iowa By Sara Daehn Cresco Times-Plain Dealer Two Crestwood High School students completed Eagle Scout projects this summer alongside the Prairie Farmer trail and the Prairie Springs Recreational Trail. Jacob Jenson’s trail shelter and Josh Stika’s two information kiosks both complement the trails that run through Howard County. Jacob Jensen Jacob’s project, a shelter featuring cedar shingles and cedar siding, is located about two miles south of Cresco, just west of Protivin Rd., alongside the Prairie Springs Recreational Trail. The son of Deb and Gary Jensen, Jacob is a ninth grade student at Crestwood High School. The idea for his project came from a member of the Prairie Springs Recreational Bike Trail Committee. The shelter, located midway between Vernon and Cresco, provides a place in the shade for bicyclists and walkers to rest. “[The shelter is] good if you get caught in a storm,” Jacob said. He began planning for his project last spring, including working with city officials, bike trail committee members and attending a Cresco City Council meeting, before beginning construction in the beginning of August. Construction of the shelter, which is made out of wood that fits in with its natural surroundings, was funded through an Iowa Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) grant awarded to the City of Cresco. With the help of family, friends and other Scouts in Troop 63, Jacob spent over 200 hours during the course of a little over a month constructing the shelter and a bench he placed inside. In addition to Boy Scouts, 15-year-old Jacob is involved with football, wrestling, track and baseball and he does a lot of biking in the summertime. Josh Stika Josh, 16, completed his Eagle Scout project along the Prairie Farmer Trail in Cresco. Josh built two kiosks that sit alongside the trail, providing information, such as maps, to bicyclists and walkers passing by. The Troop 261 Scout began planning the project in April, and starting building the first of two wooden kiosks, each of which feature shingles and tin edging, in May. One kiosk can be found near the main entrance to the Howard County Fairgrounds, on 7th St. West. Josh completed the other kiosk in early June. It is located on a portion of the bike trail that was recently paved, near V&V Insurance on the Hwy. 9 corridor leading to the two-mile corner. Like Jacob’s trail shelter, Josh’s kiosks were paid for through a REAP grant awarded to the City of Cresco. He received help from his dad, Ron Stika, his brother, Cole Stika, as well as other Boy Scouts in Troop 261 and other family and friends. Josh spent a total of 106 hours on the kiosks and said he learned leadership and building skills during the course of his project. “Knowing I helped enhance the bike trail and knowing it will be used,” Josh said, was the most rewarding part of completing his project. The Crestwood High School eleventh grade student is the son of Elaine and Ron Stika. He has been involved with Scouting for about ten years, and is also currently involved in speech and color guard at Crestwood.