Natick People: Teen Forges Trails To Achieve Eagle Scout

NATICK, MA—Travis Burke stumbled across an idea for a project when he was helping out his youngest brother's Cub Scout Den on a trip to that included talking to Natick's Conservation Commission. Matt Gardener of the commission told the group all about his grand plans for the trails in Natick.

Forging the new Pickerel Pound Trail caught Burke's eye at the time. He was 17, and needed to choose a project to achieve Eagle Scout. This seemed like the perfect one to dig his shovel into.

Burke is now 18, homeschooled and lives in Natick; he's part of Natick Boy Scout Troop 1775.

"The project was to forge a trail from the Pickerel Pound Trail system to the Weather's Field area and build a bridge over one section of water," Burke told Patch.

It entailed forging roughly 500 feet of trail and several bog bridges, which are wooden pathways over muddy areas, and building the decking for the bridge. Because his 18th birthday was creeping up (he needed to complete the project before he turned 18), and delays on construction of the footing and main beams that needed to be contracted out by the town due to liability, the town ultimately helped out with the bridge part.

A map for the Pickerel Pound Trail can be found here.

Natick covered the cost of materials and contractors for the project, and Burke and volunteers supplied all the tools. Spending a few weekends clearing 500 feet of trail, he had some help from his troop and a couple of friends. On the final day, the group went to Home Depot to pick up the materials to build the bog bridges for the muddy sections of the trail.

Burke has officially achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, but awaits the the "Court of Honor" ceremony at which he'll receive his official patch.

What's next for Burke? "I am currently in my senior year of high school and I plan on going to college next year for something in engineering, although I'm not sure what exactly yet or where I would be going."

Know a local person doing something great who deserves the spotlight? Let us know and we may do a feature. Charlene.Arsenault@patch.com.

Photos of trail before and after submitted, used by Patch with permission