After finishing his senior year of high school at Valley Regional High School, Michael Beradis spent the summer getting ready for his freshman year of college at the University of Connecticut, and completing his eagle scout project.

When figuring out what to for do his eagle scout project, he wanted to do something that would give back to the Deep River Park & Recreation Department.

“I knew I wanted to give back. I worked as a Park & Rec summer camp counselor and before that I attended the summer camp program, so I wanted to do something that would give back to something I believed in,” said Berardis.

Originally, he thought to build picnic tables at Plattwood Park. However, the Deep River Park & Recreational Department was in need of benches at Plattwood Park and the Town Landing, so benches are what Berardis built—plank benches at the fitness trail at Plattwood Park and Adirondack-style benches at the Town Landing.

The project was very material intensive, as well as labor intensive, so Berardis recruited his father’s help as well as the help of other scouts to recreate exact replicas of the Adirondack benches using specs from the originals.

“We all worked together and that’s one of the great things about scouts,” said Berardis, who also raised funds for the project.

Currently, the Adirondack benches, positioned facing the water, are installed on cement pads at the Deep River Town Landing and the plank benches are awaiting installation at Plattwood Park and will provide a resting place for those using the fitness trail or watching their kids play baseball.

“I am proud I finished the project and the town is happy with the new benches,” said Berardis. “The old benches were rotting and falling apart and there were nails sticking out of them. They were unsafe, but now the new benches look good and everyone seems to be enjoying them.”

“As with any small community, our budget is very tight, so when we receive such a generous donation we are thrilled,” said,” Parks & Recreation Department Director Carol Jones. “We are glad that the youth in our town take pride in our facilities and want to give back and we are very proud of all the hard work that our boy scouts do.”

Berardis is relieved he finished his project and received his official rank of eagle scout before he left for his studies at UConn. He said that being a scout for the past eight years had been very beneficial and has taught him a lot about how to handle himself in the real world. It also fostered his love for the outdoors and taught him about leadership and giving back.

“I think scouting was a great experience and if other scouts need help with their project I will gladly help out when I can,” said Berardis.