Project Overview
Several months ago, the Trails council entered a collaboration with State Parks to replace five puncheons which were destroyed in the Palisades Fire (January 2025). The plan is to parse the project into five sub-projects, with each sub-project to be implemented as an Eagle Scout Project.
State Parks will provide overall management, technical support and limited Park Staff labor. The Trails Council will provide coordination/management of the Eagle Scout and scouting participants, technical support and onsite project supervision. The Eagle Scout and supporting volunteers, under the supervision of State Parks Staff and Trails Council volunteers, will organize and provide labor to construct the puncheons. State Parks and SMMTC will share the required expense for the project.
Progress to Date
Startup of the project was delayed due to unforeseen issues with material procurement and Eagle Scout scheduling. The program is now well underway. All materials for the first two sub-projects are on hand, and the first puncheon was successfully constructed over the weekend of February 22–23. The second sub-project was completed March 8–15. A third Eagle Scout candidate has surveyed the project and is expected to carry out the third sub-project sometime in May.
Gallery
Images of Puncheon Installation.
Our Eagle Scout Project Coordinators
Eagle Scout projects are coordinated by Jerry Mitcham and Barry Dydyk. Jerry’s expertise in technical trail work is widely recognized, and he is frequently consulted by agencies such as State Parks, the NPS, MRCA, and COSCA. Barry, a recipient of the prestigious Silver Beaver Award—the highest honor bestowed on an adult volunteer — is also the father of two Eagle Scouts. Together, they have coordinated Eagle Scout projects for many years.