County of article: Franklin County
Location of article: 5th St. & Hancock St., Owens Monuments in Krog Park, Washington
Written by: Joe Baker
Date: Feb. 20, 2014
"Local Boy Scouts want to help the Washington Parks Department.
"Four Scouts were granted permission from the Washington Parks Board to do their Eagle Scout projects in Washington parks. The projects were approved by the park board during the Feb. 6 meeting.
"The projects tackle a variety of issues in the parks department and members of the board said they were impressed the Scouts all came up with good, unique projects.
"“I am more than impressed,” Board President Debbie Toedebusch said. “You guys should be commended. That was phenomenal.”
"Will Schriewer presented his plan to landscape the area around the Owens Monuments in Krog Park. Schriewer said he hopes the landscaping would draw more attention to the park and make it a more desirable destination.
"Schriewer said he would like to plant three dogwood trees, two new hostas, seven Boxwood shrubs and 11 black-eyed Susans — Washington’s official flower. He said future Scouts would help in maintenance of the landscaping.
"After the board praised Schriewer’s project, it was Matthew Sinnott’s turn to present.
"Sinnott asked the board if he could build a park sign by the bridge at the Rabbit Trail Drive entrance to Phoenix Park. Sinnott said the area is lacking a sign, and he would like to change that.
"The sign would have markings for three walking routes in the park. Sinnott said this way visitors could plan out how far they want to walk.
"Sinnott said the sign would be professionally designed and encased in a cedar frame.
"Toedebusch praised the project.
“People don’t know about that — it’s almost like it’s a best-kept secret that you can get to Phoenix Park from Rabbit Trail Drive,” Toedebusch said.
"Max Meyer was the third Scout to present a project to the board. He said he wanted to do some landscaping at the Washington Fairgrounds.
"Meyer said he intends to landscape the area near the main stage and next to the flagpole. The flowers will be drought resistant and should be at their most colorful during the Fair, he said.
"Meyer would also use black-eyed Susans in his project. In total, the plans call for six different kinds of plants.
"Parks director Darren Dunkle, who got advance notice of the project, said he had already told the Fair Board about the plans and they thought it was a good idea.
"Last up was Joseph Schmidt. His idea is to install watering stations for dogs along the riverfront trail.
"Schmidt said he wanted to put three stations in the park — one at each end and one in the middle. He said a lot of people like to walk dogs, but the park does not currently have watering stations for dogs.
"He said he got the idea when a friend was walking her dog and noticed benches for her to rest, but no place for the dog to take a break.
"Schmidt said the water would be sanitary and clean for the dogs. He said the water would be dispensed into a bowl and that, when not in use, the bowl would retract into a vertical position so leftover water would drain.
"Dunkle said the dispensers would need to be set away from the trail a bit so bikers don’t run into them.
"Sparky Stuckenschneider said it would be a good idea to place dog waste pickup stations near the fountains.
"Following the last presentation, the board raved about all four projects.
“We thank you very much for choosing the parks for your great ideas,” Toedebusch said."
~ Washington Missourian, By Joe Barker, Missourian Staff Writer Feb 20, 2014