By Geena Monahan—For the North Star ReporterÂ
Visitors to the Ruth Rhind Recreation Area will soon have more places to sit, improved signage and a refreshed trailhead, thanks to a local Scout working toward Eagle rank.
Landon McCarthy, 17, of North Attleborough, is leading an Eagle Scout service project that includes installing six benches, adding a new entrance sign, refurbishing the nature trail kiosk and enhancing the property’s appearance.
McCarthy, who will be a senior this fall in the engineering program at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, said he chose the park because of his own connection to the property.
“I live two minutes down the road, so I used to come here all the time when I was younger and played baseball here,” he said.
The first phase of the project is already complete, with the installation of a new entrance sign identifying the recreation area. McCarthy plans to add a flower bed around its base in the coming weeks.
He worked with the town’s Park and Recreation Department to bring the sign to life.
“I contacted Mr. Carvalho, and he has a guy who makes all the signs, so I contacted him and he made the sign,” McCarthy said.
The next phase includes installing six 6-foot benches — two near the playground and the remainder near the baseball fields where spectators frequently gather.
“I fundraise here during the baseball games, and I noticed a lot of people would set up chairs right here,” he said, pointing to a worn area alongside one of the diamonds.
The project also includes restoring the recreation area’s trailhead sign, last tended to by members of Troop 23 in 2014. Much of the paint has faded, portions of the display have deteriorated and the protective plexiglass has been damaged.
“The plexiglass looks like someone came in with a BB gun sometime ago and shot it all up,” McCarthy said. “The plan is to replace the plexiglass, repaint the sign, because a lot of it is chipped and worn, and clean up this whole area, because it’s kind of buried by the trees.”
He also plans to replace any worn informational panels beneath the plexiglass and inspect the structure to ensure the posts are secure.
McCarthy said the engineering skills he has developed at Tri-County have proven valuable while planning the project.
“We do a lot of big projects like this,” he said. “A lot of it is planning, going through the engineering design process, defining the problem, figuring out what needs to be added here and coming up with solutions.”
His years in Scouting have also taught him practical skills, while giving him opportunities to serve the community.
“It’s really a great thing,” he said. “You learn so many useful things, whether it be first aid or knot-tying, and I get to hang out with my friends a lot, too.”
Funding has been the project’s biggest challenge. McCarthy hopes to raise $1,200 and has collected approximately $950 by setting up fundraising tables during Little League games.
“I come out here every now and again for the games and set up a booth showing what the project is, how much money I’ve raised and the future plans,” he said.
Town Councilor and Troop 23 Assistant Scout Master Kevin McCarthy — no relation to Landon McCarthy, despite sharing the same last name — said that as an Eagle Scout mentor, he helps keep the project moving forward.
He emphasized that Eagle Scout projects are intended to demonstrate leadership.
“I’m the guy that pushes Landon to do the work and keeps on him to make sure he’s on track,” Kevin McCarthy said. “But Landon doesn’t need a lot of motivation. That’s the great thing about Scouting. It teaches you not to wait for somebody else. You know what needs to be done, so just do it.”
Kevin McCarthy said the project comes at an ideal time, as the recreation area is expected to see heavier use this summer. With construction underway on the new North Attleborough High School, athletic fields on campus are unavailable, resulting in more baseball games being played at Ruth Rhind.
“This field is going to get a lot more use,” he said. “The signs will make it look nicer, and the benches will help out, too. It’s a nice area, but I think sometimes people forget about it because it’s tucked away down here.”
Located on Huntsbridge Road, the Ruth Rhind Recreation Area features a baseball field, playground and open green space. The property is also home to the former Camp Shady Pines, a longtime summer camp that once served generations of local children and remains an important part of the site’s history.
Once fundraising is complete, Landon McCarthy hopes to purchase the benches and finish the remaining work, leaving behind improvements that will benefit the community for years to come. He is collecting donations via Venmo through his father, Scott McCarthy’s, account: @irishsmm.Â