Scouts need help with creek cleanup

Local Boy Scouts need the community's help Saturday with a project designed to make Lebanon more beautiful.

Boy Scout Troop 302 will aid Matthew Stier in earning his Eagle Scout rank by performing a creek cleanup along Sinking Creek, otherwise known as Town Creek. The Scouts hope to have around 50 volunteers. Troop 302 is lead by Matthew Stier's father, John Stier.

Troop Assistant Scout Master Don Guy is excited about the project.

"Matt is working with Lebanon Stormwater Coordinator R.T. Baldwin, who is one of his mentors on the project," Guy said.

He said volunteers can show up to help anytime between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

"There will be somebody at the smaller parking lot at Don Fox Park at the West End Pavilion at all times to direct volunteers," he said.

Guy described Matthew as an outstanding Boy Scout.

"He attends Lebanon High School," he said. "His rank now is Life Scout, they go through the ranks starting at Tenderfoot."

Guy said Stier's project is a lot bigger than just cleaning up a section of the creek. Like the "Adopt A Highway" programs, this is part of the city's "adopt a waterway" program.

"It's not just picking up the trash for one day, Troop 302 has adopted a section of Sinking Creek. It's one of the first in Wilson County to be adopted," he said. "The city's donating signs that will say 'this section of the creek has been adopted by Troop 302.' R.T. is hoping to get other people in the county to adopt other waterways in Wilson County. That way they'll have continous support keeping them clean and educating the public."

Saturday's cleanup efforts will include 9,680 feet of the creek bank, from the intersection of Barton's Creek, crossing Castle Heights Ave. and West High Street and ending at the square. The cleanup will also include 1,300 feet behind the Jimmy Floyd Center from the intersection of Sinking Creek, northward to Coles Ferry Pike.  

The group also anticipates cleaning 2,880 feet from Sanders Ave., crossing North Cumberland and ending at Hartsville Pike. Troop 302 would like to adopt these sections of the creek and make this an annual cleanup event.
In a case of classic understatement, Guy summed up the entire plan.

"The adopting the creek idea is something good."

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.