Mountain View, CA - Ryan Chen, a Life Scout in Troop 30 Los Altos, Pacific Skyline Council, Boy Scouts of America (BSA), and a sophomore at Mountain View High School, is undertaking an impactful Eagle Scout Service Project with his dad, to improve safety for students walking to Landels Elementary School.
For his Eagle Scout rank, Ryan identified the Eagle Service Project as a key requirement. Titled "Safe Route to Landels Elementary School," his initiative involves painting sidewalks leading to the school with stencils of animal paw prints.
This creative approach aims to provide clear guides and directions for students, enhancing safety during their commute.
The inspiration for the project stemmed from discussions between Ryan and his dad Peter Chen, a Sr. Transportation Planner at VTA, during his Eagle project initiative, drawing influence from Boston's Freedom Trail.
By adapting the concept to school routes, the project aims to create visually engaging markings for elementary and middle school students.
Ryan expressed his motivation, stating, "I get to make my community safer because I've seen how many traffic accidents there have been." This project aligns with the City of Mountain View Safe Route to School (SRTS) program, promoting walking and bicycling for local students and families.
Collaborating with the City's SRTS Committee, Ryan and his dad met with city staff, including Transportation Planner Karen Gauss, City Engineer Lorenzo Lopez, and Transportation Manager Ria Hutabarat Lo.
Together, they finalized project details, covering stencil design, lion paw size, spacings, color, and specific areas to be enhanced.
Commencing on October 29, Ryan's Eagle project is expected to conclude in January, with upcoming workdays scheduled in December and January to complete the paw prints on all planned routes.
Despite city concerns about maintenance, Ryan has offered to organize local scouts and teenagers for ongoing support, demonstrating his commitment to community service.
In addition to scouting, Ryan excels in cross-country running at Mountain View High School. Recently achieving First Place in the Sophomore group at the San Francisco Lowell Invitational, he showcased his prowess at the California State XC Championships in Fresno, setting personal records.
He has been appointed to be a captain next year for his team.
As Ryan and Peter continue to leave a positive impact on their community, their dedication to safety and community service reflects the values instilled by the Boy Scouts of America.