Project Summary Video

The video above was taken this past weekend by my Dad. In it, I explain each of the phases of this project.

Concluding Tour

On Monday, August 31 and Thursday, August 27, I arranged a tour at Mayo's Landing to show all of the project's supporters how much they have helped over nearly the last year and a half. The attendees were the families of Frank Ronci and Hermann Jaensch, Mayor Leo Wiegman, Mark Franzoso, Jan Wines and Geoff Haynes of the Croton Trails Committee, and my Scoutmaster Michael Reynolds. It was an honor to show all of them how much they have helped in the development of this project over the last year and a half. Especially as many of them have visited the area many times in the past. At the end of the first tour, we all gave a toast to the memories of Hermann Jaensch, Frank Ronci, Charles O'Connor and Pedro Laureiro for how much time and effort they dedicated to Troop 28. My sister took the group shot shown below.

 

Plaque #2

The second plaque was finished today. The images below show the step-by-step process of making it. The measurements involved in making this one were different from the measurements in the last one. Whereas the last one had a maximum of fifteen characters in one line, resulting in the characters being 0.8" wide, this one had a maximum of nineteen characters in one line, resulting in the characters each being 0.6" wide. There was also spacing between the lines to be made in this one. The last plaque had five lines to be engraved. Conveniently, the board was 5" wide so that I could make each of the characters 1" tall. With this one however, the characters would stay 1" tall and I would have to make sure that the spaces in between the lines were equal in length. To center the three lines on this plaque, I had to make the spaces below and above the bottom line, above the middle line, and above the top line the same size. That was four spaces in all so I divided the remaining 2" on the board by that and made the sequence of marking an inch after every half inch on the width of the board. If you look closely at the first picture, you can see where this sequence was marked. Measuring the range of where the letters would be was much easier. I would just take the number of characters in each line, multiply that by 0.6, divide the difference of that and twelve by two, and measure the resulting length to the opposite sides of the board to ensure that the line would be centered. You can see the markings of these horizontal measurements in the second picture below. All of the markings that I made from these measurements established how big the characters should be when I penciled them out. You can see that in the third picture below. For both aesthetic and protective reasons, I applied stain and water sealant to the board after I made the engraving. That is shown in the fourth picture below. Finally, to make each character more visible, I applied two coatings of yellow paint to the characters. Both plaques should be attached to the Mayo's Landing bench within the week.  

Plaque #1

The picture above is of the first of two plaques I made that will be attached to the bench at Mayo's Landing. This one is to honor the assistant Scoutmasters of Troop 28 that recently passed away; Hermann Jaensch, Frank Ronci, Daniel O'Connor, and Pedro Laureiro. As you can see, the lettering is currently not very clear. I will fix that by applying yellow paint to the letters in order to make them more visible. To make the plaque, I had to measure each character, including spaces, on each line to fit this board. I then used a wood dremel to engrave the letters into the board. To protect this from damage I applied stain, followed by a thin coating of water seal that I also used to protect the wood of the bench. To attach this to the bench, I will use liquid nails and four wood screws. The next plaque will be to signify that Troop 28 and others supported the project. Then the project will be completely finished.

The 6th and 7th steps and Moving In The Bench

At yesterday's work session, I installed the 7th log step and repaired the 6th. The installation of the 7th step was different from the installation of the other steps. It was not filled with concrete this time as it was too close to the step behind it. Digging a trench for the concrete may have damaged the step behind that one. I could not have installed the step down further, because too many rocks and roots would have been in the way of the re-bar. Instead, this step was packed with dirt. It has proven to make a sturdy enough step. The sixth step needed to be repaired. When we first started installing it, we ran out of concrete. Hence, it was only half-filled and began cracking over the next week. We finished filling it with concrete today and now it should not crack. We also transported the bench that I helped construct a couple of weeks ago. Mr. Aspinwall helped me by tying it down to his pick-up truck and driving it there. I plan to have a wooden plaque attached to the bench, acknowledging the supporters of this project and memorializing Scoutmasters of Troop 28 who have passed away in recent years.

The 4th, 5th and 6th Steps

Today's part of the project was arguably the most productive thus far. Two steps were installed today, and one was installed yesterday. Our last attempt at installing a log step was damaged almost immediately after it was secured to the ground by re-bar. This weekend I decided to suffice with concrete for the two failed steps and the one new step. As before, the space behind the 6x6's would be filled with rocks. However this time, we covered that with concrete. On our last work session, rocks below the locations of the steps caused difficulties. We were unable to properly secure the steps with re-bar. Thus we cut the pieces of re-bar in half, and they fit in perfectly. My dad also purchased a handheld pickax, which allowed us to break through rocks that were in the way of the re-bar. It also allowed us to improvise by taking the rocks that we broke out and using them for the step itself. See the pictures attached.

The Bench

We will be returning to Mayo's Landing to work further on phase 1 and 2 on June 6 and 7, but a bench will also be installed for the visitor's comfort. This will be phase 3. This weekend, my friend Paul Leonard (right) and I (left) built the bench that will be placed there. The construction was much more complicated and challenging than I anticipated. We made the legs of the bench by bolting together 4"x4" of pressure-treated wood. That part was especially challenging because notches had to be made in each of the blocks. In order to do this, we cut half-way through them and repeated cutting them in the same area so that chips of the wood could be removed at a time. This had to be done eight times, so it took much of the time that we spent building the bench. We then completed the bench by bolting 4 2"x8" boards to the legs, as shown in the left picture below.    

When the bench is transported to mayo's landing, I will have to find a way to secure the bench to the ground in order to prevent damage or theft. I believe the best way will be to use chains to secure it to a close tree.
I have also planned to place an engraving or plaque on the front of the bench to thank Franzoso Contracting for their donation of the needed materials and Troop 28 for their help. I will also attach a plaque honoring Scoutmasters of Troop 28 that have passed away in recent years such as Herman Jaensch and Daniel O'Connor.

Installing the Steps

On May 3 and 9, we began installing log dam steps into the entrance of Mayo's Landing, such as the one pictured below. 

6"x6"s of pressure-treated wood were used to make these steps. Holes were drilled in them so they could be secured by re-bar. Gravel was then filled in behind the steps in order to prevent erosion. The first two steps were installed successfully without any complications. However, each of the following three steps could not be fully secured by the re-bar. Rocks in the ground made that impossible. There was also a shortage of gravel to be used for the steps. To substitute for the gravel, some of my fellow Troop 28 scouts went into the Croton River to dredge out rocks. This proved to be a sufficient substitute, but damage to two of the steps occurred only days after installation, as a result of the re-bar's inability to secure the steps.
The following project sessions will be on June 6th and 7th. I plan to repair the damaged steps and install the final ones. I will also bring in the bench that I have built this weekend and secure it.    

Day 1

Day 1 of my project at Mayo's Landing was very simple in contrast of the following work days. The participants were (from left of the below group picture) Julian Power, Connor Catterino, Maria McGarty, myself, Emmanuel Stok, and Benton Schecter. We began by clearing out much of the brush and litter in the site. We then used a pair of loppers to cut out a shrub that is shown in a picture below (Benton is sitting right next to it). 

 
 

The Proposal

Terrence McGarty’s Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal

for Mayo’s Landing Environmental Restoration

Presented to Village of Croton-on-Hudson

Boy Scout Troop 28 Croton On Hudson

February 10, 2015

PROJECT CONCEPT: To repair damage to Mayo’s Landing caused by severe erosion, invasive plants, and litter and to create a safer environment for the Croton residents that use this village owned park.

The focus of this project is environmental conservation. There are many potential dangers, to both the environment and to the visitors of Mayo’s Landing. The environmental balance of the area is threatened by widespread erosion and invasive plant species that are harmful to the indigenous trees. The safety of the area needs improvement, as it is marked by a history of swimming accidents. Furthermore, the entrance to the park is steep, unsteady and dangerous.

SOLUTION / PROPOSAL:

1. Repair erosion and conserve the environment by:

Installing Erosion Log Steps. Log steps or log dams are pieces of wood that are installed in the earth to redirect harmful water run-off.

Below is the steep hill at Mayo’s Landing as it appears today. Note the severe erosion.

Below is the proposed log step design that I built at my house as practice.

2. New Plantings

(suggested:  myrtle, pachysandra) as ground cover to prevent erosion.

A few years ago, tree saplings were planted in an attempt to prevent erosion, but the process was both extremely expensive and ineffective.

3. Remove brush and invasive plants Including Poison Ivy, vines, and weeds. These vines are strangling the existing trees and an eye-sore.

4. Improve the safety of the area

• Logs will help prevent accidents on the steep hill

5. Memorialize Scoutmasters from the past

• A bench will be built using pressure-treated wood
• A plaque will be added, honoring Croton Troop 28 adult leaders from the past such as Mr. Hermann Jaensch, Mr. Frank Ronci, Mr. O’Connor, and Mr. Laureiro

6. Make it a living project

• Propose Troop 28 perform annual maintenance to Mayo’s Landing, similar to what Cub Scout Pack 28 does at Black Rock Park every spring.

Budget:

• Cost will be minimal, most materials will be found on sight
• Plaque for Bench may involve a minor expense
• Fundraising will be considered

Timeline:

• FALL / WINTER 2014 - Develop Formal Proposal

• With assistance from Scoutmasters and Village Officials

• Jan-March 2015 - Work towards project approvals in the following order:

1. approval from the Village
2. Troop 28 Scoutmasters
3. BSA Westchester-Putnam Council

• SPRING 2015- Contact Volunteers to assist
• SUMMER 2015- Execute Plan

• Plan for roughly three weekends to complete project

Organizations/People I have Contacted or will contact:

• Croton Trails Committee - Met with Jan Wines on 3/26/2014 and 10/23 to socialize the concept of the project and to inspect site
• Croton Conservation Advisory Committee - Met with Jan Johnson on 4/2/2014
• Met with Village Manager - Abe Zambrano on 4/10/2014
• Spoke to Police Officer to raise awareness
• Met with Mayor Wiegman to discuss project and inspect site on Oct 23, 2014.

My Qualifications:

• Life Scout Rank since January 2014
• Currently Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in Troop 28
• Junior Member of Croton Trails Committee  since Spring 2014
• Volunteer in Croton Fire Department - registered through BSA Explorer Post 2089
• Completed all Eagle required merit badges as of August 2014
• Successfully completed BSA Westchester-Putnam Council sponsored Trail to Eagle program in 2014

• TTE involved two full camping weekends, one in June, the other in August and an introductory weekend in April

• Avid hiker and camper
• Active member of Troop 28 since 2010 and Cub Scout in Pack 28 since 2005.
• Den Chief to Cub Scout Pack 28 2011 to present with Mrs. Pradines and Mrs. Epprecht’s dens.
• Completed 75-mile Philmont Trek in Cimarron, NM (Included a 3-hour trail building service project) in July 2014, voted Crew Leader
• Assistant Patrol Leader in 2011-2012 scout year, Patrol Leader 2012-13, Troop Guide 2013-14, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader 2014-15
• Completed NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) Program in April 2013
• Completed University of Scouting in Nov 2011
• Elected Order of the Arrow representative of Troop 28 in Jan 2013 - active in Ktemaque OA lodge
• Attended BSA National Jamboree in 2013

Materials and Supplies for Terrence McGartys Eagle Scout Service Project
TYPE	QUANTITY	FOR WHAT PROJECT	MATERIAL TYPE
8 foot 4x4s	3	Bench	Wood
8 foot 2x8s	5	Bench	Wood
8 foot 2x4	2	Bench	Wood
3/8"x5 1/2" galvanized carriage bolts (washers and nuts)	30	Bench	Hardware
3/8"x4" galvanized carriage bolts (washers and nuts	10	Bench	Hardware
4 foot 6x6s	8	Wood Steps	Wood
Rebar or Steel Stakes	16	Wood Steps	Hardware
Decorative Material	1	Plaque	Hardware