Fall 2022 Hometown Messenger

PARKS & RECREATION Eagle Scout to-be fixes up Tahpah Park flag pole plaque

The Tahpah Park flag pole and the dedication plaque below it are looking clean and spruced up after Shakopee High School senior Michael Peck chose to beautify his community for his Eagle Scout project “I emailed the baseball coach for something I could do (for my proj ect),” Peck said “He told me about this plaque at Tahpah Park, and we just went from there” The plaque lists the local organizations that originally donated and dedicated the flag pole years ago, but over time it had become dirty and partially buried beneath gravel Peck has been in Boy Scouts since he was a small child, and complet ing a service project is the final requirement for him to become an Eagle Scout After choosing his project focus, obtaining the neces sary permissions from the Scouts, and connecting with the city for approval, he and a group of his Scout counterparts were able to dig up the plaque from its bed of gravel and get to work

"We washed it down and covered it up and put pavers around the sides so it would stand out,” Peck explained “I think it turned out really nice” From figuring out logistics to gathering supplies and doing the heavy lifting, the project was more involved than Peck expected

"These types of projects benefit not just the city, but all the residents and visitors whowill visit Tahpah Park and see the flag pole and plaque." Bill Mars Mayor

“It’s not just digging and washing stuff down,” he said “Finding something for everyone to do can be difficult I think it turned out really nice” Service projects like the one Peck completed make a big impact on the look and feel of the city, said Mayor Bill Mars “We very much appreciate and welcome volunteerism in Shakopee,” Mars said “These types of projects benefit not just the city, but all the residents and visitors who will visit Tahpah Park and see the flag pole and plaque”

Shakopee High School senior Michael Peck led the charge to clean up a buried flag pole plaque to complete his quest to become an Eagle Scout

The City of Shakopee has a volunteer program through Parks and Recreation If you or a business or organization you belong to is interested in getting involved, visit www.ShakopeeMN. gov/volunteer.

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