Eagle Scout Project

 

Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project

 Peter Beran - Eagle Scout candidate

(September 12, 2007)

(Donations needed and volunteers see below)

 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

 Describe the project you plan to do.

 The objective of my project is to rebuild an existing walkway for the beneficiaries of the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP) on existing semi developed land behind its office location at 87 East High Street, Somerville, New Jersey. In addition to leveling and resetting the walkway, a stone patio area designated for outdoor cooking will be added to the end of the walkway replacing a current wooden pad. This patio will be lined with stone that will be moved from existing areas, as requested by SHIP staff. This is also intended to clear areas for future landscaping that is not part of this project. The walkway will be lined with new stone similar in color to that added for a recently completed meditation/meeting area.

 PHASE 1

The first phase of my project will be remove all old branches and wood lining the current pathway. The current path is bordered on both sides with branches that define the path but are currently rotting. Also in this phase rake up all stone currently in the area to the left of the path. SHIP staff have asked that this stone be moved so the area can be landscaped at a later time. It is my intent to use the stone to line the proposed patio area. During this time stone currently on the walkway will also be removed from path so it can be reused on the patio area.

 With the path clear, I will reposition the path and level it. The current path is about 50 feet long and about 4 feet wide with a sharp turn at the bottom and a large sag about half way down. The path will be straightened to follow the current slope of the lot. I will build up the sagging area with dirt to create a level slope. The path will end at the bottom of the hill and connect to the patio area. During this phase I will be installing a metal landscape edging that will line the borders of the new path and keep new stone in place. The same edging will be installed to define the patio area.

 The base by the patio is next to a mound of dirt. I do not want to rework this mound but keep it in it’s natural state per the SHIP staff. However this presents a possible drainage and washout problem. I would like to build a short wall in front of the mound. The wall will be about 2 feet high by about 20 feet stacked with landscape blocks. Behind the wall I will install a drainage pipe and then backfill with dirt making a level area that will remain in a natural state. This will also act as a back edge to the patio.

 PHASE 2

Finally new stone will be added to the walkway from the top of the walkway to the edge of the patio.

 What group will benefit from the project?

 

The volunteers of SHIP and the homeless and needy families and individuals of Somerville and its surrounding area, as well as victims of drug dependency and HIV/AIDS, who are unable to obtain assistance from government and private agencies who seek assistance and relief from SHIP.

Name of Organization:      Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP)

Telephone:                       (908) 725-3260

Street Address:                87 East High Street

City:                                Somerville

State:                              New Jersey

Zip Code:                         08876

 My project will be of benefit to the group because:

This project will benefit the clients of the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program by creating a solid walkway where SHIP clients get access to the new meditation center. It will move rock so that new plants can be added and also make a new patio from the stone that can be used as a barbeque area.

 PROJECT DETAILS

 Condition of Protect

The area in which the walkway and patio will be constructed is located on land belonging to SHIP. It is located behind the parking lot in the rear of the building (see Figure 2 on page 13), which houses the SHIP offices on 87 East High Street, Somerville, NJ. This is in the southeast quadrant of Somerville. The area is presently has a path and pad built several years ago as part of the older project. The area, which will encompass my project, is approximately 64 feet wide by 75 feet deep It is located in front of a walkway that was recently installed as a meditation area.

Construction Procedure

 Phase I - Preliminary site preparations

Stone removal and branch removal —                          The first phase of my project will be

          remove all old branches and wood lining

          the current pathway. The current path is

          bordered on both sides with branches that

          define the path but are currently rotting.

          Also in this phase rake up all stone

          currently in the area to the left of the path.

          During this time stone currently on the

          walkway will also be removed from path so

          it can be reused on the patio

Phase 2 — Site Rebuild-      With the path clear, I will reposition the path

          and level it. The path will be straightened to

          follow the current slope of the lot. I will build

          up the sagging area with dirt to create a

          level slope. The path will end at the bottom

          of the hill and connect to the patio area.

          During this phase I will be installing a metal

          landscape edging that will line the borders

          of the new path and keep new stone in

          place. The same edging will be installed to

          define the patio area.

  

4

Phase 3 — Patio wall-         The base by the patio is next to a mound of

          dirt. I do not want to rework this mound but

          keep it in it’s natural state per the SHIP

          staff. However this presents a possible

          drainage and washout problem. I would like

          to build a short wall in front of the mound.

          The wall will be about 2 feet high by about

          20 feet stacked with landscape blocks.

          Behind the wall I will install a drainage pipe

          and then backfill with dirt making a level

          area that will remain in a natural state. This

          will also act as a back edge to the patio.

 

Phase 4— Stone work

Finally new stone will be added to the walkway from the top of the walkway to the edge of the patio.

 

 Planned Schedule

I expect that the project will take about six days over a six-week period. It will take about 60 applied time hours to clean the area around the walkway of current sticks and move all current stone to the pad area. It will take about a 30 hours with about 6 people to install the edging and build the wall. Installing the remaining stone will take 8 people about 20 hours

 ANYONE WISHING TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS PROJECT OR INTERESTED IN DONATING ANY NEEDED MATERIALS, PLEASE CALL SHIP FOR FURTHER DIRECTIONS AT 908-725-3260 – ASK FOR TOM