Student Eagle Scout seeks materials funding to restore benches in New Albany Woods

Gavin Bates, an Eagle Scout candidate, asked the New Albany Sustainability Advisory Board on July 8 for materials funding to restore and replace deteriorating benches in the woods by New Albany High School and the Church of the Resurrection. Bates said he plans to build up to eight new benches from Douglas fir, seal them with a water‑based, non‑petroleum sealer, and install them on the existing boardwalk platforms.

Bates told the board the existing benches sit in a wet woodland environment and have “taken severe environmental weathering over the years,” making the trail area less inviting. He said his team will remove the benches (they are fastened with L‑brackets), sand and seal new boards, pre‑drill and assemble components, and bolt the benches into place. Bates estimated ordering 37 boards (2x6x12 ft) to cover the project with a small buffer, and said he expects to need about three to five one‑gallon cans of water‑based sealant.

The board asked about logistics, including who oversees the jointly managed land and whether dumpster costs were accounted for. A member noted the dumpster cost was not included; Bates said he is seeking school assistance for a dumpster. Staff explained the next step is a formal application: staff will review the submission internally and send it to the board for a vote at the next meeting.

The board praised the project as a community enhancement and noted safety precautions Bates described, including gloves, safety glasses and on‑site oversight by his adviser, Peter Barnes. The board did not vote on funding at the July 8 meeting; staff said any award would come from the student leaders and sustainability grant budget and that the application will be considered at the next scheduled meeting.