Path to greatness
A 17-year-old redefines a lakeside nature trail to prove his skill and character and to serve others.
By JANE MADDEN WELCH
Published September 6, 2005
CLEARWATER - Lake Chautauqua is not large as far as lakes go, but that never bothered Jonathan Irion.
"It's a great place to observe nature. I used to come out here almost every day," Jonathan said, looking out over the lake that is tucked away north of Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater.
Jonathan, 17, is a senior at Countryside High School. He has been in Boy Scout Troop 413 since the fourth grade. For a required project to earn his Eagle Scout ranking, Jonathan decided to create a nature trail through a section of city-owned property on Lake Chautauqua.
Jonathan has a personal connection to the 40-acre lake and park. His great-grandfather, grandfather and father owned property along the lake dating back to the 1950s. Jonathan went to several summer camps at Boy Scout Camp Soule on the lake.
Jonathan, his parents, Laddie and Davonne, and sister Lauren, 10, have lived several blocks from the lake for the past 41/2 years.
Jonathan has fished and kayaked there. He and his friends used to cut through a faint overgrown path that ran along the edge of the lake.
Improving that path so people could bike, walk or jog comfortably seemed like a natural project.
Planning began a year ago. He presented the idea to government officials and got approval.
"We helped him get the proper permission and saw that his plans conformed to standards, since it's on city property," said Karen Maldonado, Clearwater volunteer coordinator and Jonathan's main contact at the city.
The parks and beautification division helped remove trees and large logs. Jonathan solicited materials and supplies and paid some expenses on his own. He constructed eight nature signs along the trail that identify and describe trees and plants such as wax myrtle, saw palmetto and sweet bay. Vines had to come down, obstacles removed and bales of pine straw added.
"I chose pine needles rather than mulch because the path will get augmented from the surrounding pine trees and it fits in the natural environment," he said.
On "project day" last spring, he supervised about 20 of his fellow Scouts, making sure his vision came to fruition in a way that satisfied himself, the city and the Boy Scouts of America.
"The whole idea of an Eagle project is to demonstrate your leadership skills," said Troop 413 scoutmaster Phil Wood. Jonathan said he learned patience and determination from the effort.
Maldonado call it a great project. "Now it's a clear, distinct path - a cleaner, safer, nicer area," she said.
The city added signs marking the two entrances to the trail, which is open from dawn to dusk. It's about 716 feet long and runs from Soule Road along the south edge of the lake to Second Street E, Jonathan said. He hopes to maintain the path with the city's help.
Wood described Jonathan's nature trail as an "industrious project" and an integral part of the requirement for attaining the Eagle rank.
Beginning with Tenderfoot status, Scouts complete requirements that culminate in the Eagle rank, which must be reached by a boy's 18th birthday.
The elite rank requires a Boy Scout to earn 21 merit badges, complete a book detailing his Scouting career, get commendation letters, and plan, develop and lead a service project.
"It's a pretty big event in a kid's life," Wood said. "I would equate it to graduating from high school."
Wood has led Troop 413 for the past year and a half. It has 40 active members and meets Thursday evenings at Northwood Presbyterian Church.
Jonathan will turn 18 on Dec. 4. He has more than 20 merit badges, including forestry, fishing, space exploration, personal fitness, electricity and music, and a "50 miler" badge for hiking on the Appalachian Trail. He is looking forward to the ceremony of honor where he will be awarded Eagle rank.
"Scouts is a good model for life. It teaches you values and how to get things done," he said.