BROOKLYN — On a crisp Mother’s Day weekend, the sound of hammers, tools, and teamwork filled Liberty Pole Hill Park as a group of Scouts transformed a quiet community space into a safer, more inclusive place for children to play.
Oregon High School junior, James Radel, led a nine-member team, from Boy Scout Troop 168, in completing his Eagle Scout project by renovating and upgrading the park’s playground equipment at the Town of Brooklyn’s historic Liberty Pole Hill Park. The project included refreshing the existing swing set and surrounding area, along with installing a new state-of-the-art adaptive swing designed for children with disabilities.
“Liberty Pole Hill Park has always been a special place for me because it’s only a few minutes from my home and has a long history with our troop,” said Radel. “Planning this project was a humbling experience, and I learned so much about leadership and organization while helping benefit the local community.”
Alliant Energy helped to cover some of expenses with a community grant which was awarded to the Town of Brooklyn last fall.
“Town of Brooklyn has collaborated with local Scouts for years in the beautification of the area and the grant helped to make this project a reality. This latest effort marks the second Eagle Scout project completed at the park. This is exactly the kind of win-win community project we value,” said Kathy Pennington, Chair, Town of Brooklyn.
Liberty Pole Hill Park is more than just a playground. During the civil war, Liberty Pole Hill was one of the highest points in Green County. The American flag was stood as a rally and muster point for the region. After the war, the area fell quiet for decades before being revived in 2010 through the efforts of the Friends of Liberty Pole Hill Park. Today, it has become a gathering place for families, featuring a proudly flown American flag, a pavilion, open green space, and playground equipment.
But on this weekend, it was something more. It became a place where history, service, and the community spirit met making a lasting difference for all involved.
