Gardner Boy Scout Michael Newton uses Eagle project to share history of conservation area
GARDNER – When it came to pick a project for his Eagle Scout rank, Michael Newton decided he wanted to blaze a few new trails. Specifically, the trails at the Cummings Conservation Area in Gardner.
A member of Boy Scout Troop 9 and Cub Scout Pack 9 since first grade, Newton oversaw and implemented the design, construction, and installation of informative kiosks and trail signs inside the nature reserve property off of Bridge Street.
Newton, who was awarded the highest youth rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America during a ceremony at the Hubbardston Rod and Gun Club in August, said the idea for his project came from Jeff Legros, a former member of the city’s Conservation Commission.
“He knew that I like history and he suggested putting up signs with historical information about the Cummings Conservation Area,” Newton explained. “I picked it right up because I really enjoy history and learning more about Gardner.”
He said Legros supplied him with historical documents and old photographs of the area to get him started on his project.
Newton, who graduated with a degree in CAD/Drafting and Design from Monty Tech this year, focused his research on three areas of the reserve: an old homestead on the property; the glacial land feature, called the “esker,” that runs through the area; and the history of the railroad that borders the land.
He erected three kiosk signs detailing the history each area along with additional information about the property.
Newton, who works as a screen printer at Sharp Image in Gardner, was no stranger to the area. As part of an earlier Scout project, he had erected several trail posts on the property. For his Eagle Scout project, he designed and attached trail signs to the existing posts, and recruited members of his troop to help clear some of the overgrown trails.
Remembering a longtime scoutmaster
Visitors to the area will notice that one of the new trails has a sign that reads "J Bresnahan." The sign is a tribute to the memory of John Bresnahan, Troop 9’s longtime scoutmaster who passed away in 2021. Newton said it was important to him to honor Bresnahan’s legacy due to the impact he had on so many members of the troop.
“When I first joined the troop when I was really young, I didn’t really have an appreciation for the amount of dedication he had to the Scouts,” Newton explained. “He put so much energy into that troop, and I wanted to honor him because I thought that was a legacy that should be recognized by other people.”
At his award ceremony, Newton presented Donna Bresnahan with a photo of the trail sign that was erected in honor of her late husband.
“I thought it would be kind of a nice surprise for her, and it apparently really was – she loved it,” Newton said.
Newton singled out Doug Monroe at the Gardner Department of Public Works and his longtime friend Christina Edmonson for their help in making his Eagle Scout project a reality.
A meaningful Eagle ceremony
For his part, Newton, who has earned 36 merit badges during his time with the Boy Scouts, said being honored for his efforts was a rewarding experience, especially since about 70 people, including former troop members and leaders, attended the ceremony.
“It certainly felt good to see all of these people, who have meant so much to me over my life, all in one place to support me,” he said, adding that some of his friends had traveled from Pennsylvania and Florida to attend the ceremony. “I wasn’t expecting to see any of them, but they all showed up.”
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Gardner Boy Scout creates historical trail markers for Eagle project
