Eagle Scout Landscaping Project Puts the Finishing Touches on New Parking Lot at Former Brownfields Site

Partnerships between the town, EPA, State agencies, local businesses and volunteers have successfully transformed a former brownfields site into an attractive community asset.

The Town has been successful in applying for and obtaining grant funding over the past 10 years, beginning in 2003 when the town received its first EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant. A subsequent clean up grant was awarded in May 2007, which provided funding to clear and remediate the 103 Main Street site. This included capping impacted soils with a specially designed impermeable liner and soil, and paving the remaining areas. The goal of the grant funding was to “provide convenient parking and mitigating environmental threats to Pocotopaug Creek with a vegetative buffer.”

The Brownfield Redevelopment Agency (BRDA) consulted with the East Hampton Garden Club to identify appropriate plantings and develop a landscaping plan. New raised beds were installed at the site this summer thanks to Eli Gates, an Eagle Scout candidate from Boy Scout Troop 8. Eli partnered with the BRDA to beautify the parking lot for his Eagle Scout project.

Between May and July, Eli organized three volunteer work parties to prepare more than 15 raised beds and install 287 plants under the supervision of his Scoutmaster, Rich Arnold.   In all, 34 volunteers contributed a total of 180 physical work hours to complete the project. Special recognition is given to the East Hampton Belltown Garden Club, Paul’s & Sandy’s, American Distilling, McDonald’s and the Town Public Works Department for their generosity and advice throughout the project.

Landscaping the site at 103 Main Street was a win-win effort for the Town and Eli, who said, “The project was an incredible success!  I learned very much and am greatly satisfied with the overall outcome.”

“The success of this project is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all those who helped transform this site. The Agency is grateful to all who volunteered,” said Cindy Karlson, Chairman of the BRDA.