June 14, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Eagle Scout project by Smith set to help bikers on Kickapoo Rail Trail

Will Smith wants to help bike riders along the Kickapoo Rail Trail.

His Eagle Scout Project will do just that.

Smith, a member of Scout Troop No. 40, is currently fundraising for his Eagle Scout Project that he proposed to the St. Joseph Village Board in January.

The project is a bike repair stand along the Kickapoo Rail Trail at the stop in Kolb Park. The stand will include all sorts of tools and an air pump.

Durst Cycle is donating to the project, but Smith still needs to fundraise to cover the remaining cost.

Smith met Jared Durst, owner of Durst Cycle, during the board review for his Life Scout Rank. The members of the board asked Smith what his Eagle Scout Project would be and Smith explained the bike repair station.

“He gave me his information to contact thin about the project when I was ready,” Smith said.

The station will be placed on a concrete pad at Kolb Park, which will be donated by the village.

Smith needs to raise more than $1,000 for his project.

Donation canisters are at Casey’s and Jack Flash.

Donations can also be sent to a Paypal account set up by his mother, Jessica, at jessimarriott@gmail.com.

“We also have a Fourth of July mailbox on the porch at 104 W. Evergreen Drive,” Smith said. “Checks can be made to my mom, Jessica Marriott.”

The road to completing the project has been a long one.

Smith first had to find a project that met Eagle Scout qualifications, he then had to get estimates for the project and talk to the St. Joseph Village Board about placing the repair station on their property and now he is awaiting paperwork approval by the Boy Scouts and asking for donations. The next step will be installing the station and completing final paperwork on the entire project.

Smith said he was encouraged to become an Eagle Scout by his step-dad, Levi Marriott, who was an Eagle Scout. Marriott encouraged Smith to join Scouts.

“I also realized it will help me in the future,” he said.

Smith said he enjoys many things about scouting.

“I enjoy the people,” he said. “Everyone has their own set of skills and traits that make trips very enjoyable. I also enjoy the outdoors very much, which scouting revolves around.”

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Wagners give back in a variety of ways

May 29, 2020

May 29, 2020

Jim and Jen Wagner like to help people. They have helped people through the pandemic at their business, Wagner Signs...

10 things you don’t know about me… Kelly Skinner

January 15, 2020

January 15, 2020

St. Joseph resident Kelly Skinner is opening her new business, Soul Care, today. The grand opening and ribbon cutting is...

Kids say…

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Every week we ask five St. Joseph area students a question about farming. Today, five students from PVO South tell...

Talk of the Town… Jim and Jen Wagner

August 6, 2019

August 6, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident or official three questions. This week we spoke to Jim and Jen Wagner...

Talk of the Town with Susan McKinney

July 2, 2019

July 2, 2019

Every week we ask a village official three questions. This week we talked to St. Joseph Township Librarian Susan McKinney...

Senior Spotlight with Payton Cain

December 12, 2019

December 12, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke with Payton Cain. What do you...

Senior spotlight: Kassie Kelso

May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. Here are Kassie Kelso’s answers. What will you be doing...

Van Buskirk reflects on successful expo

May 1, 2019

May 1, 2019

Dawn Van Buskirk loves the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon. Van Buskirk has been involved with the marathon since it started...

Remembering Dawn Van Buskirk: St. Joseph resident ‘admired and loved for who she truly was’

July 27, 2021

July 27, 2021

To those that knew her, Dawn Van Buskirk always had a smile on her face. “She was a happy person...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jason Retz

November 7, 2019

November 7, 2019

In honor of SJO Cross Country going to state this week we asked head coach Jason Retz to tell us...

Former rivals give back with youth girls’ basketball program

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Growing up, Andrea Flenniken was a Spartan. Flenniken graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1996 and played girls’ basketball...

Wheelhouse steps up to help community

August 19, 2020

August 19, 2020

Abbie Layden-Rogiers and her husband Ryan Rogiers have always wanted to help the community. The owners of The Wheelhouse in...

Acklin goes the distance, earns induction into SJO Hall of Fame

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

Jim Acklin has dedicated his life to coaching and teaching. For that he is being inducted into the St. Joseph-Ogden...

Full STEM ahead for Powers

March 22, 2022

March 22, 2022

Katie Powers wants students to be engaged and excited about STEM topics. The Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient created a...

SJO Civics class helps those in need

January 15, 2020

January 15, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden Senior Lindsey Aden wanted to help the community so when teacher Marshall Schacht and School Resource Officer Shawn...

Comments
Leave a Reply