Redmond Eagle Scout builds dugout roofs at local park

Evergreen Junior High ninth-grader Noah Wylie spearheaded some much-needed improvements at Redmond Ridge Park, where he used to play Little League baseball.

After enduring seasons of wet and soggy uniforms during the rainy spring months and torturous heat during the summer, when it came time for Wylie to submit his idea for his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project, he decided he wanted to build weather-proof roofs over the dugouts at the baseball field. He figured, that way future teams playing at the park would not have to struggle with the elements while waiting to play on the field.

“I used to play baseball here, and we always had problems with it being too bright and sunny and needing shade, or it being rainy and needing cover,” said Wylie, 14. “I thought it was a good idea.”

Wylie carefully planned out the entire project beforehand - down to the last detail of staffing, workload, and obtaining the required materials. Last Saturday a group of about 30 family, friends and volunteers met at the park, located at 22915 Northeast Alder Crest Drive, to implement Wylie’s plan.

Starting at 9 a.m., workers began sanding and fitting strips of plywood, which were nailed together and ran the length of the dugout. Then, a durable all-weather roof was installed which would protect ballplayers from the sun’s harsh summer rays and inclement weather during the spring and fall.

“We thought it was a great project,” said Paul Nealon, Vice-President of Redmond North Little League, which oversees the park’s operations. “The park definitely needed it, for sure. It was great to have someone willing and wanting to give back to the community.”

The Reporter caught up with Wylie midway through the project, when workers were busy nailing the wood panels into the roof’s foundation.

“It was pretty difficult to organize,” Wylie said. “This is probably the biggest project I’ve ever done... but it’s going to be great.”

Contact Redmond Reporter Sports Reporter Tim Watanabe at twatanabe@redmond-reporter.com or (425) 867-0353, ext. 5054.

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