Brandon Giles recently moved to Woodmen Hills and decided the area outside his back door was “pretty, but plain looking.” The area needed something to spruce it up, and Brandon, a sophomore at Falcon High School, needed a project for his Eagle Scout status – the highest rank in Boy Scouts prior to age 18. Brandon said he has always had an interest in “restoring stuff” and building. He also believes in community service; thus, given all of the above, it was no surprise that Brandon came up with the idea of a colossal neighborhood project – a picnic shelter that would house two picnic tables and 12 people.The picnic shelter is located at 8013 Eastonville Road, about a mile from Meridian Road. The property is public, owned by the Woodmen Hills Metro District. Robert Giles, Brandon’s dad, talked about the involved process to secure permits and approvals. The Giles designed the shelter and a local engineer stamped the plans. Polaris Survey did the survey and layout. Brandon had to walk through the same county process as other builders; Parker Construction pulled the permit, Bruce’s Landscaping drilled the holes, Cacey’s Lumber donated the wood and many neighbors donated time and money and the use of electricity, ALM Concrete poured the concrete, Rocky Mountain Materials donated the cover and Fort Carson donated the two picnic tables.Brandon said one of the toughest parts was the time spent calling various people and companies. The picnic shelter should be completed by July 1, Brandon, a member of Boy Scout Troop 149, said.Another Boy Scout Troop 149 member, John Lloyd, also a Woodmen Hills resident and sophomore at Falcon High School, constructed a playground right next to the picnic shelter. John spent a weekend aerating lawns to pay for a Creative Playthings kit that he would construct on the playground for the younger kids in the neighborhood. He was able to get donations of rock, sand, timber and rebar, and, with the help of his fellow troop members, he built a playground complete with swings, a slide and a sandbox.Boy Scout Troop 149 is also sponsoring its second annual pancake fundraiser on July 3 at the Woodmen Hills Clubhouse West (Meridian Road and Woodmen Hills Drive. Join the Boy Scouts and Falcon neighbors from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. for all-you-can-eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and a beverage. The breakfast is FREE for kids under 6 years old; the cost for kids ages 7 through 16 is $3; and $5 will get the over-16 crowd a hefty pancake breakfast. Along with food, there will be door prizes, fun activities and a Bouncy Castle. It’s all a part of the Fourth of July weekend celebration in Falcon!
