Scout’s Project Benefits State Park and Visitors

[webmaster]

Eagle Scout Helps Sugarite Canyon Park and Visitors

Raton Youth Raises Funds to Buy New Accessible Dock

By Raton Reporter

© 2006 www.nmparks.com - Reprint Permission Granted

RATON, NM – Bryce Pfeiffer, a 13-year-old Boy Scout from Raton, has raised more than $15,000 to purchase a new, wheelchair-accessible floating dock for Lake Maloya in Sugarite Canyon State Park. The dock will be officially dedicated on July 19.

The 10 feet x 20 feet floating dock includes a bridge railing, edge protection and height requirements, meeting the conditions set forth by the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and local and state regulations for accessibility. The floating dock will ensure access for physically challenged fisherman despite fluctuating lake levels.

“This experience has taught me to put the needs of others before mine,” said Pfeiffer. “I hope I’ve inspired several of the other scouts to become more excited about scouting.”

Pfeiffer, a Senior Patrol Leader with Boy Scout Troop 77, brought the dock idea to Sugarite park staff as an Eagle Scout project. Bob Dye, Superintendent of Sugarite Canyon State Park, recognized the need for a dock to replace the existing dock, which did not meet strict ADA requirements.

“Bryce’s ability to acquire this amount for a project of this magnitude was highly commendable, he went above and beyond what is required for an Eagle Scout project and did a fantastic job providing a facility for physically challenged fisherman at Sugarite,” said Dye.

Pfeiffer’s inspiration was his grandfather, who struggles with limited mobility and can no longer enjoy fishing with his grandson as a result. Pfeiffer was also required to complete a service project e in order to become an Eagle Scout, which motivated him to move forward with his idea. To acquire the dock, Pfeiffer successfully made numerous presentations at several businesses and organizations to solicit donations for the EZ Dock.

Pfeiffer says that many visitors have thanked him for initiating the project, which has provided wheelchair-bound visitors with a more positive, rewarding experience outdoors. In addition to the fishing dock, Pfeiffer has completed an additional 17 hours of community service since last year, earning him the rank of “Life Scout.”

To date, Pfeiffer has collected $15,000 in donations for the project from local businesses and service groups. A $2,000 donation was made from Friends of Sugarite State Park, while $1,000 donations poured in from several organizations, including: VFW and Auxillary, Pfeiffer’s Alternator and Starter, International Bank, Purgatoire Valley Construction Inc., XTO Energy Inc. and Raton Basin API, among others. The owner of EZ Dock allowed Pfeiffer to purchase the dock for $13,848, a discount from the normal retail price of $16,000. The excess funds will be contributed to the Boy Scouts of America.

At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, Sugarite Canyon State Park will formally dedicate the new dock to Pfeiffer’s grandfather, Richard Martin, at Pfeiffer’s request. Pfeiffer intends to take advantage of the new dock and catch up on spending time with his grandfather, fishing.

As Steppin' Out reported a few days ago (click here to read the article), Sugarite was recently recognized in Camping Life magazine as one of the country’s “Top 10 State Parks,” as determined by the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD). Parks were chosen because they possessed a combination of qualities including: a unique combination of land, water, flora, fauna, vistas, legend and lore. The new dock is one of only a couple of ADA-compliant floating fishing docks in the State, though State Parks has ADA compliant non-floating docks within its parks.

For more information, contact Sugarite Canyon State Park at (505) 445-5607 or www.nmparks.com.

All Steppin' Out can add to this story, is...

Way To Go, BRYCE!!!