On the wings of an Eagle Scout

A 14-year-old organizes a park cleanup, complete with new paint and plants, to earn his Eagle Scout designation.

[Times photo: Special to the Times] Kyle Fleming helps plant grass around a sign at Corona Park recently. The 14-year-old organized the cleanup day as part of his project to become an Eagle Scout. He recruited 25 Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and volunteers to help with the project.

By JENNIFER L. STEVENSON
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 1, 2002

Kyle "Eagle Man" Fleming flew into action. Trees had to be planted. Mulch waited to be spread. Water gushed from a hose.

The plants were coming!

"Hey, Kyle, is there supposed to be mulch in this?" asked Andrew Reed, behind a wheelbarrow Saturday at Corona Park.

Kyle, cool on a warm morning, didn't miss a beat. "Yes," he answered, directing his friend to a hulking mulch pile at the end of the grassy field.

With a hard hat on, 14-year-old Kyle had much beauty to spread around. Sure, Saturday's cleanup of Corona Park was part of his project to become an Eagle Scout in Troop 53. But more than that, helping transform the park was Kyle Fleming's mission.

"My family comes here a lot," he said, taking a break from his work. "I thought it would be a great project to clean it up, since we play here, too."

To that end, Fleming enlisted the help of 25 Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and volunteers. He called the Mayor's Beautification Program for advice. The program helped arrange the donation of 13 trees and 18 plants.

"We need water over there," Kyle called out, pointing to a spindly live oak, one of nine that now ring the park. "Make sure it gets plenty of water."

Lindsay Fleming watched his son from a distance. "He'll sleep well tonight."

Young Fleming wasn't the only person interested in transforming Corona. Volunteers from the Virginia Park Residential Neighborhood Association also turned out in full force Saturday. About 60 people painted a shelter, pulled weeds, raked leaves and hauled away trash. Corona Park is at the corner of Sterling Avenue and Corona Street.

Volunteers were so eager to help that they showed up at 9 a.m., an hour earlier than expected.

"We want to have the park clean and safe for kids again," said John Weiss, president of the neighborhood association, who also helped plan the work day. "If they have a place to go, it can only benefit the community."

By noon, the dull brown shelter was a bright tan.

"Hey!" Weiss exclaimed. "That looks better already!"

Amber Currington, 13, took a break from painting a door to admire the work around her.

"It's better than cleaning my room," she said of her efforts.

The city Parks Department donated the trees, paint and supplies at an estimated cost of $1,650, said Marsha Carter, a maintenance manager. The Sports Authority donated two new basketball nets.

Kyle approached the neighborhood association to see if he could help. He designed his Eagle Scout project based on the park's needs. A friend gave him the construction helmet for his hard work and volunteers signed it Saturday. His mother, Kathy, dubbed him "Eagle Man."

A cheerful bunch of volunteers worked through the morning, undeterred by endless bags of trash.

Corona Park reflects the changing demographics of the neighborhood. The park, with its swing set and jungle gym, was built for young children. The city once sponsored a recreation program for local children. Gradually,the population aged and the park fell into decline. The bathrooms were locked.

Then came a return of younger families. Residents agreed the park should be improved to meet the neighborhood's needs.

"The soda machine hasn't had soda in it in years," Kyle observed.

He and his father would sometimes be forced to sweep glass off the basketball court before they could play.

Some volunteers remember brighter days.

"My children went to preschool under that shelter," said Grace Richards, pointing to the larger of two buildings. She's lived in Virginia Park for 53 years.

Maureen Connelly was busy pulling weeds in the the sandbox. She recalled birthday parties on sunny afternoons.

"We grew up in this park," she said. "My son had all his parties here."

Her 19-year-old son, Sean, now walks to the park with their dog.

"There are a lot of new people moving into the neighborhood," she said, her eyes squinting in the sun. "It's important for them to have a park."

Saturday, parents worked while young children played. "It's our neighborhood," said Angela Breeding, who was also weeding. "You want to drive into the neighborhood and see it look nice."

Weiss hopes that the city will start a recreation program again for neighborhood children. The city has authorized $45,500 in Community Investment Tax money to renovate the grassy park starting in 2003 for major capital improvements, such as new playground equipment and a new basketball court. The second smaller shelter still needs to be painted. Weiss is also working with the city to open the bathrooms during the day. The workday was a first step, Weiss said.

Andrew Reed, 13, said he was proud of the small park.

"You should take care of it," he said. Kyle and Andrew are members of Troop 53 and attend Coleman Middle School. "It's your own back yard."

Just before noon, a city parks' department truck rolled up with pots of shiny green plants.

Kyle was ready.

"Guys, listen," he called out. "Stop. Everybody listen to me for a second. . . ."

Kyle gave directions for planting Aztec grass around the park sign.

Just one more way to make the world a little more beautiful.

Eagle Man had his mission.

- Jennifer L. Stevenson can be reached at 226-3405 or at stevenson@sptimes.com.

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