Above, Parker Reese, a Marysville High School student and Boy Scout Troop 634, recently completed his Eagle Scout project. He and a group of volunteers invested over 300 hours in painting over graffiti at the Millcreek Bridge at Hinton Mill and Bellepoint roads, pictured at left. (Photos submitted)
Parker Reese, a Life Scout in Boy Scout Troop 634, recently completed his Eagle Scout Project.
Reese is 17 years old and will be a senior at Marysville High School.
He currently wrestles and runs track and loves playing sports and building things.
After high school, he is interested in pursuing his academic career by studying athletic training or exercise science in college.
For his Eagle Scout Project, Reese and a group of volunteers invested over 300 hours removing graffiti on the Millcreek Bridge at Hinton Mill and Bellepoint roads in Millcreek Township.
He said there were approximately 2,300 square feet of surface area on the concrete supports under the bridge that was covered in graffiti.
Upon meeting with his beneficiary, the Union County Engineer’s Office, Reese said he initially wanted to remove the graffiti. After trying several methods to do so, he decided painting over it would be most successful.
Reese said he began with prepping the site, including cleaning up trash in the area and weed-eating overgrowth that surrounded the project areas. He said the group also cleared out portions of a nearby logjam to create better access to the concrete surfaces.
After the site preparation was complete, Reese said he and a volunteer group spent two days power-washing the concrete. They also spent two days applying primer and painting the entire surface area.
Lastly, Reese said he sprayed a “Graffiti Melt” solution on the painted areas to protect the surface from future graffiti.
He said he was fortunate to have support from neighbors for his project, as well as assistance from four different area Boy Scout troops.