The Department of Parks & Rec. is grateful to some local scouts.
By: Amy Filippone, Dept. of Parks & Recreation
Over the summer, Moorestown Parks and Recreation Department has had some park improvements, thanks to local Girl Scouts. They are subtle, beautiful and much appreciated.
For their end of year service project, Brownie Troop 27407 volunteered their time and money to plant a tree at Jeff Young Memorial Park. Under the leadership of troop leader, Jill Fallows-Macaluso and co-leader, Victoria Carberry, the troop decided to give back to a location that is near and dear to them.
“In the beginning of 2017, when the girls were beginning their cookie sale planning, they agreed that they wanted use some portion of their cookie proceeds to do something for the community,” said Jill Fallows-Macaluso. “Some sort of take-action or give-back project. One of the girls suggested planting a tree and it took some life because of the idea that it would be around for a long time, and it would make an everlasting impact on the environment, which is an important part of Girl Scout philosophy. We talked about where to plant the tree and then we were like we’ve been meeting here in this building for four years, let’s plant it here at Jeff Young Memorial Park.”
So 16 Brownies between the ages of eight and nine, sold cookies, researched trees that would be healthy, hearty and live for a long time. They chose a white dogwood which was planted in June. Not only was the location meaningful because they had meetings there, but they learned about Jeff Young, for whom the park is named. He was a United States Marine Sergeant who was killed in 1983 during a terrorist bombing in Beirut. He was only 22-years-old. They paid tribute to him during the planting ceremony.
And after the digging, planting and mulching the girls have continued to care for the sapling.
“To help keep the tree growing and thriving throughout the hot summer we asked the girls and families to volunteer to take watering shifts,” said Victoria Carberry. “Several families responded and we have the summer covered. We will of course, continue through the fall.”
This too is part of the Girl Scouts credo — ownership and accountability.
We would like to thank Brownie Troop 27407 members: Callie Macaluso, Alison Lee, Annabelle Ferner, Ella Brittain, Estella Mueller, Greta Weber, Kaitlyn Muhic, Lily Trakis, Madison Green, Roxy Carberry, Rozelle Hughes, Savannah Laverty, Siyana Sheth, Sophia Schmidt, Molly Lawson and Gigi Costello for their contribution to the park system.
Another Girl Scout project this summer was from Clare Martin. With help and guidance from her granddad, Larry Konsin, they repaired a very damaged bench at Jeff Young Memorial Park. They basically took it down to the studs and replaced the wooden slats on both the wooden seat and back. It’s like new. You can now sit comfortably and enjoy watching kids on the playground — thanks to a very industrious Clare and Larry. Clare is with troop 21290 and completed the project to receive her Bronze Award.
The Girl Scout mission of “Building girls of courage, character and confidence that make the world a better place” can certainly be seen in their work at Jeff Young Memorial Park.
