Brandon Twp.- Alan Blackburn is building a legacy.
Blackburn is only 17, but he looks forward to a time far in the future when he can bring his children to the park at Oakwood and Hadley roads and show them what he helped construct.
The township community park, which opened in May, is fairly barren of structures. But Blackburn wants to change that. The Brandon High School junior aspires to be an Eagle Scout and for his community service project, has decided to take on raising $12,000 to build a pavilion at the park. The pavilion was originally going to be built by the Ortonville Rotary Club, but after they established the base for the 30 by 50 structure, they ran short on funds.
‘I decided to take up the project because I thought it would be worthwhile,? said Blackburn, who is required to put in 120 man-hours toward the fundraising, which must be finished by June 15, his 18th birthday, in order to attain the ranking of Eagle Scout. ‘I think it will be something that will test me.?
Prior to beginning the pavilion project, Blackburn was a volunteer at the park, helping put in the parking lot, new benches and trash cans and planting trees. The park, he says, is a great place for the community to come together and play sports.
‘I can’t wait until a few years from now when it’s finished and we can see all the changes that have taken place,? he said.
The $12,000 cost of the pavilion project is for construction materials only, mostly lumber. The labor will be provided by volunteers. Blackburn researched the cost through Home Depot, and he is currently working weekends at the Renaissance Festival, serving food in the 500 district, west of the castle. A portion of the profits from food sold at booths in the 500 district will be donated to the pavilion project and Cub Scout Pack 135.
Additionally, Blackburn will be at Frosty Boy, 955 S. Ortonville Road, on Aug. 27, selling hot dogs off the grill all day long, and 10 percent of all the profits that day will go to his project.