Forest Hills Troop 90 Eagle Scout and Churchill-Wilkins Rotary Club #5179 team up to raise Welcome Kiosk at Bullock Pens Park

Saturday, May 11, 2013-After 18 hours of torrential downpours threatened to cancel the event, the rain stopped just before 10:30 am at the entrance of Bullock Pens Park off McCrady Road in Churchill.  Without having to don the ponchos on hand, some three dozen people gathered to celebrate the construction of an information board, or “kiosk”, to guide newcomers to the Sanctuary’s trail and to identify native trees and plants. Guests included Churchill-Wilkins Rotary Club #5179 President Bruce T. Sapp with fellow Rotarians Craig Robinson and Larry Lepidi.

According to Churchill Councilwoman Bonnie Pantlik, the new Welcome Kiosk was dedicated to the residents of Churchill. “The kiosk and this Park belong to them,” she said, “it is our hope that with careful and thoughtful stewardship, this park will remain a Nature Sanctuary for all to enjoy for years to come.” Speaking on behalf of hosting committees, the Churchill Recreation Board and Friends of the Nature Sanctuary, Pantlik thanked WHHS Class of  ‘14 student Jacob Burke for planning and building the kiosk and the Churchill-Wilkins Rotary for funding it. The kiosk, she said, “is our first step toward improving the signage for the Park and therefore its utilization.”

Surrounded by his extended family, a van or two full of friends, and two Troop 90 Scoutmasters, Rich Rode and Jack E Russell, Jacob recounted how this--his Eagle Scout project--wasn’t easy, but he sincerely enjoyed learning from the people who guided him in the year long effort. Eagle Scouts have to take a project from inception, through design and budget presentations, to construction. Jacob had to juggle his time between his many academic, athletic, and acting commitments. Yes, he's the same Jacob Burke who starred in Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" at WHHS, which meant he had to schedule his construction work around nearly non-stop rehearsals and productions that finished May 4!

Jacob’s carefully constructed display contains a 2’x3’ bulletin board at eye level behind an acrylic windowpane and has a gabled roof to protect it from wet weather like that experienced in the previous 24 hours.

Completely funded by the Churchill-Wilkins Rotary Club and built by a Forest Hills-based Scout Troop--specifically by a Wilkins resident--to benefit public land in Churchill is remarkable. “When you think about who really invested the sweat equity and those who made the tough funding choice in this economic climate to provide materials, you realize that the park is not only an asset for Churchill residents, but naturalists and hikers in our neighboring boroughs as well. While we are deeply indebted to a small group of Churchill volunteers--led by the Mozers, the Gottliebs, and the Keanes--for their sustained efforts to preserve this parkland for the last 40 years, we are humbly grateful for the generous contributions of our friends beyond Churchill’s boundaries and hope that they will visit often to enjoy the nature trail and to participate in our special Sanctuary activities too,” said Diana Yankes, chair of the Churchill Recreation Board. “It just goes to show you how fortunate we are to have such great neighbors.”