Photograph by Dai Sugano
Jeff Beyers wanted an Eagle Scout project that would affect a large number of people. Landscaping the front of the Senior Center filled the bill nicely.
Green-thumbed Scout plants pride for seniors
City officials were happy to cooperate
By Jason Baker
Jeff Beyers never really knew how powerful a green thumb could be until he saw the smiles on the faces of Saratoga seniors.
Beyers, 17, a Saratoga High student working to become an Eagle Scout, wanted to do a project that would affect a large number of people.
"Becoming an Eagle Scout requires over 20 merit badges and a project carried out and completed by the scout," Beyers said. "I wanted to do a project that would be really visible in our community."
Calls to city officials led Beyers to the office of Saratoga Senior Center coordinator Mary Richards.
"Jeff came into my office and was really gung-ho about finding a project," Richards said. "We looked around and I said, 'You know, the front of the center has looked the same for some 16 years. Maybe you could do some landscaping.' "
Richards' approval was all Beyers needed. He returned to her office about two weeks later with the plans to landscape the area between the senior center and the Saratoga city offices.
"I came up with the ideas for the type of plants, and Paul McKeller, a friend of my family who has done some work for the city, gave me some professional advice with the design," Beyers said.
Richards said she was amazed at how professional the plans looked. She submitted the blueprints to city officials, who immediately gave Beyers the go-ahead.
Beyers said the land between the senior center and the parking lot was overgrown and in serious need of attention. His first step was to go through and decide which plants he could keep and which plants worked best with his architectural design.
"Each Scout basically becomes his own contractor, organizing and arranging for tools, labor and supplies," he said. Beyers recruited his fellow Scouts from Troop 535, based at St. Andrew's School, to assist with the building and planting.
"I organized the other Scouts and was always there while we were working," he said. "In our troop, we help each other out. Everyone realizes they will have their own Eagle Scout project eventually."
Richards said she was amazed at the Scouts' efforts. "They basically only took time off to eat and sleep," she said. "They had the entire project done in five days."
Beyers' work transformed the land from unkempt shrubbery into a garden dotted with roses and ornamental strawberries. A crushed granite pathway now winds through the garden, and plans are in the works to transplant an ornamental cherry tree from Saratoga's Japanese sister city, Muko-shi, to the area in October.
"We were stunned," Richards said. "We've received so many compliments from seniors and others who are amazed by the transformation."
Beyers said the project took about 100 hours, including labor and planning. Funding for the project--close to $500--came from his own pocket. He still is looking for private donations to reimburse the cost and may do some fundraising in the future.
Another Saratoga Scout, Ben Tegarden, is currently completing renovations to the center's patio area. And future plans may call for a Scout-constructed composting area near the center, to be used for gardening projects.
As for Beyers, the final decision on his Eagle Scout status is pending. He first must deliver a presentation of his project to Scout leaders before being awarded the honor.
But the garden project itself has rewards all its own, Beyers said.
"You don't realize what you've accomplished until you look at the pictures," he said. "Seeing how happy the seniors were gave me a real sense of accomplishment and a sense of community. I really feel like I helped them a lot, and that's important."
Saratoga, California Since 1955
