🛠️ Restoring Community Connections on Springfield Avenue
This summer, Life Scout Jesse F. of Troop 5, Maplewood completed his Eagle Scout Service Project—a full restoration of the three community kiosks along Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, NJ
The kiosks, used by the Springfield Avenue Partnership (SAM), the Maplewood Library, and local organizations to share flyers and announcements, had fallen into disrepair. Working with SAM Executive Director Nicole Wallace, Jesse developed a plan to bring them back to life—replacing damaged roofs and wooden bases, repairing and repainting doors, and installing new corkboards and lettering.
Over the course of 20 workdays and 150 hours of effort, Jesse led a team of 12 volunteers from Troop 5 and the community. Supplies were donated by SAM, Sherwin-Williams Maplewood, and Friday Letters & Pictures, and Jesse raised an additional $2,000 through a GoFundMe campaign.
On August 13, SAM and the Township celebrated the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Nancy Adams, Township Committee Members Vic DeLuca and Dean Dafis, and many community leaders. The restored kiosks—located at 1633, 1885, and 1926 Springfield Avenue—now serve as bright, functional community bulletin boards once again.
“Completing this project was a chance to serve my community and grow as a leader on my path to becoming an Eagle Scout,” said Jesse F. “I’m grateful to my advisor James Zachara and Scoutmaster Kevin Dowlin for their guidance.
Community leaders praised the project for its lasting impact. Nicole Wallace called the kiosks “a low-tech but effective way to share events and messages” and thanked Jesse and his team for their dedication.
Troop 5 is proud of Jesse F. for his hard work, leadership, and commitment to improving Maplewood’s community spaces.