Fagan’s Eagle Scout project benefits Central Park

     Tyler Fagan joined his family’s ranks as an Eagle Scout; his older brother, Alex, became an Eagle Scout in 2020.

   On Nov. 4, Fagan turned 18. On Nov. 9, he had his Eagle Scout board of review in Cedar Rapids.

   Scouts have until their 18^th birthday to reach the coveted title of “Eagle Scout.”

   Fagan has been with Troop 66 in Monticello since he was in first grade. In June, he transferred to Troop 68 in Marion, after his father passed away earlier this year.

   Fagan’s initially thought about building osprey nests at Central Park in Jones County for bald eagles and hawks.

   “After the derecho, the osprey lost trees with their original nests,” explained Fagan.

   Knowing that the trees housing the osprey nests would need to be so many feet off the ground, Fagan would have to work with the utility companies to plan for and layout a project of this magnitude.

   “There would have been a lot of people to get in touch with and there was too much involved,” he said. “There was not enough time to do it.”

   So, wanting to still work with Jones County Conservation at Central Park, Fagan decided to clear trails at the park that were overgrown and in need of work still three years after the August 2020 derecho. He also made habitats for all animals, whose homes were also destroyed in the storm.

   “They (Conservation) suggested an alternative project,” he said. “They have a lot of trails to work on, plus their other work that needs to get done. So I took some things off their hands.”

   The trail Fagan cleared is surrounded by pine trees, which took the brunt of the damage during the 2020 storm. The scope of the work entailed picking up branches off the ground and clearing brush 10 to 12 feet up from the ground.

   “I also pushed back the invasive species a couple feet,” he added.

   With the branches he trimmed, Fagan made use of them by creating small animal habitats within the wooded areas for the animals to burrow under.

   “I made about eight to 10 piles,” he said.

   The Fagan family camped out at Central Park in mid-October. Fagan, members of his family, friends, and fellow Scouts, spent the day on Oct. 14 working hard from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

   “We were able to do it in one work day,” he said.

   A project like this, he said, did not cost him a dime, meaning he did not have to worry about raising any money to see his Eagle project to fruition.

   He was able to borrow any equipment needed from the Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation in Central City. Cornerstone Building Brands in Monticello, where Fagan’s late father used to work, also donated 12 hardhats and safety goggles for those assisting him at Central Park.

   As for why he chose a project to benefit Central Park, Fagan said many area Scout troops utilize the park a lot.

   “Central Park impacts the community here (in Jones County) and the Marion community,” he said.

   He worked with Resource Manager John Klein with Conservation, having started the conversation two years ago.

   Fagan is well acquainted with Central Park. Aside from his family’s camping spot, he also interned at the park during his freshman and sophomore years of high school.

   “It feels good,” commented Fagan of earning his Eagle Scout Award. “It was a lot of waiting after the work was done.”

   He can add another feather his hat, having earned over 90 badges during his years in Scouts (out of a total 134).

   Throughout his years in Scouts, Fagan said he gained a lot of knowledge and information that he’s able to take with him into adulthood and his future endeavors.

   “I enjoyed the experiences I had earning the badges and the camping trips,” he said.

   Fagan is a senior in high school, being homeschooled through the Marion Home School Assistance Program. He’ll graduate in May 2024.

   He hopes to remain active in Scouts.

   “I want to look into being a Junior Scout Master with Troop 68,” he said. “I can share the knowledge I’ve gained in my years in Scouts and pass it onto the younger Scouts.”

   After high school, Fagan wants to pursue a trade, possibly in electrical work. He also has interest in AmeriCorps.

   Fagan is the son of Devin Fagan of Monticello and the late Eric Fagan.