When Zackary Jhilal decided to take on repairing and rebuilding damaged portions of a bridge at Samuel P. Senior Memorial Park for his Eagle Scout project, he didn’t realize that the project would become personal.
“As the project developed, I learned that there was a pile of rustic wood that had originally belonged to my grandfather, which I never knew existed and had been stored in our barn for many years,” said Jhilal, a 14-year-old Troop 66 Boy Scout and a freshman at Joel Barlow High School.
He and his mother would spend a long time selecting compatible logs and other rustic wood from his late grandfather’s collection that could be used for the bridge.
“At one point, my mother looked at me and said, ‘This wood was used on a rustic project your grandfather and I had worked on together a long time ago, and he saved them here for another project one day,'” said Jhilal.
It was a nostalgic and poignant moment for mother and son as they sifted through the pile for the perfect pieces. Jhilal dedicated the completed bridge in honor of his grandfather, Pasquale Santangeli.
“My grandfather loved Easton and strongly believed in protecting its wetlands and wildlife preserves, as is being accomplished at Samuel P. Senior Memorial Park,” he said. “I think my grandfather would be so proud of what I accomplished in the park and would approve of his rustic wood finally having a worthy new home.”
Samuel P. Senior Memorial Park is a 10-acre sanctuary donated to the Easton Garden Club by the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company. It has been transformed into a thriving wetland preserve, teeming with diverse wildlife. The park, overseen by a board of trustees led by Charles Lynch, board president, serves as a sanctuary for both wildlife and humans.
“We thank Zackary for this excellent work in obtaining the materials and rebuilding this natural rustic bridge in a timely manner,” said Lynch. “We wish him success in receiving his Eagle Scout badge.”
Lynch said Jhilal is a testament to the dedication of individuals who selflessly devote their time and effort to preserving the beauty of nature for generations to come. As the sun sets over the tranquil wetlands, the bridge stands as a symbol of community spirit and generations of conservation.
Over the summer, Jhilal plans to put a coat of sealant on the bridge railing system to protect it from the elements.
“I feel I will always have a stronger connection to the bridge and park than I had ever anticipated and will be committed to protecting it for years to come,” he said.
