Bleakney and Troop 300 add bench to Butte

BUTTE — Alaska Boy Scout Troop 300, “The Thunderbirds” from Wasilla completed an Eagle Project June 13 on the Butte, for the benefit of the Mat-Su Borough Department of Parks and Recreation.

Hunter P. Bleakney and the Scouts of the Thunderbird Troop built a bench for the Mat-Su Borough Department of Parks and Recreation on top of the Bodenburg Butte. The project complemented the construction of new steps, which are installed near the top of the West Butte Trail according to outdoor recreation trail specialist and project organizer Kirsten Kumpula.

Bleakney led the Thunderbirds on a hike up the Butte to the supplies and tools that had been lifted by helicopter on the preceding Monday. Armed with bags of concrete and an aluminum frame manufactured and welded by Greatland Welding of Palmer, the Scouts put the bench together and moved the materials to the site selected by Bleakney.

Scouts had a wonderful time preparing the site and pouring the concrete in a location that provides a beautiful view of Pioneer Peak and the Knik Glacier.

Boys between the ages of 11 and 17 who are interested in Scouting should contact Troop 300 at t300.org. Alternatively, stop by a troop meeting at 6 p.m., Mondays at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Wasilla, at 501 Bogard Road.

Submitted by Eric Bleakney