Eagle Scout completes project in Upper Saddle River

Northern Highlands High School senior James Harnett, an Eagle Scout with USR Troop 133, recently completed his Eagle project at Presentation Church in Upper Saddle River.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank achievable in scouting. All Eagle candidates must complete a service project that benefits the community and demonstrate leadership by effectively managing other Scouts. For his project, Harnett volunteered to renovate a path and rebuild a set of stairs through a portion of woods that connects the parish rectory on Riverview Terrace with the church on West Saddle River.

The path is actively used by church priests, lay personnel and parishioners. In its previous state, it presented a significant trip hazard. The existing wooden stairs had become dilapidated and the bare outlines of the old path were overgrown with stumps.

"It was obvious that the old stairs and path were unsafe," Harnett said. "If we rebuilt the stairs and path, parishioners, church personnel and the public could safely walk to the church."

With the assistance of more than 15 Scouts from Troop 133, and a few parent volunteers, Harnett designed the new stairs, directed construction, and cleared the foot path of all stumps, branches, and obstructions. The project required the team of Scouts to work nights, weekends and holidays over a period of more than three months.

More than 40 6" by 6" pressure treated timbers were used in the construction of the new stairs. Each of the 24 steps was secured with two lengths of 4 ft. rebar. The new design includes a continuous handrail, resin-sealed gravel fill, solar powered night lights and a 150 ft. wood chip laid path bordered by new plastic edging.

"We are grateful to James and his fellow Scouts for their tenacious efforts in creating such an attractive and sturdy path from our rectory to the church grounds," Rev. Bob Stagg, pastor of the Church of the Presentation, commented. "The weather and ground conditions were obstacles that he and his partners consistently overcame. The path has now created easy access to a meditation garden and a clear view of our colony of bee hives. It is a job well done."

"It was hard work, but we’re all very happy with what we were able to achieve," Harnett said. "I was fortunate in that I was never without the help that I needed. I had a number of volunteers over the last few months, Scouts who showed up many times to assist with what was, quite frankly, an incredibly tough job. We have a very supportive troop, and I want to thank all my fellow Scouts for their tireless work." He continued, "I also want to thank Presentation Church for providing us full access to their tool shed, and our local Mahwah Home Depot who donated many of the materials that we needed to complete construction. Their generous assistance made this project possible."