Lower Burrell Eagle Scout recognized for creating fitness stations

A Lower Burrell councilman and others surprised Eagle Scout Scott Fennell when they stopped by his high school graduation party to proclaim Sunday as Scott Fennell Day.

They honored the teen for his volunteer Eagle Scout project constructing four outdoor work-out stations in the city’s Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park.

“I was definitely left speechless,” said Fennel, 18. “I’m very humbled by it.”

Fennell, a member of Troop 134, got the idea for the fitness stations from city officials several years ago. He worked closely with former Councilman Christopher Koziarski, who oversaw parks and public property, finishing the project last year.

Fennell spent more than 400 service hours designing, fundraising and working with contractors to install the exercise stations, which cost about $8,000 to build. The stations include instructions and bars for pull ups and other structures for full body exercise.

City Councilman Robert Hamilton and Koziarski surprised Fennel Sunday with the proclamation during his combination graduation party/Eagle Scout celebration at Northmoreland Park’s boathouse.

The proclamation was issued by Hamilton, Councilman Chris Fabry and City Administrator Amy Rockwell.

Speakers who honored Fennell at his graduation party included Hamilton, Koziarski, former Mayor Rich Callender and former City Police Chief Tim Weitzel.

“The impact of it to me is honestly the fact that this kid went on his own mind set with creating a public place for health and wellness,” Hamilton said.

“You don’t see too many kids his age doing something like this,” he said. “He could have picked anything else,” Hamilton added.

Fennell said he was happy to be of help to the community.

“My project follows core values of Scout law, which is Scouts are trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteously, kind, obedient, cheerful, and more.”

Fennell’s mother, Betsy Fennell, said the surprise proclamation “brought tears to our eyes, we are so proud of our son.”