Scout’s Eagle project brings new rain garden to Round Lake Park

A new rain garden at Round Lake Park will help manage rainwater runoff and prevent erosion while blending seamlessly into the natural environment.

Created as an Eagle project by Maxwell Amundson, an Eden Prairie High School junior and member of BSA Scout Troop 479, the rain garden is located on a slope below the ice hockey rinks.

The plant-edged rain garden will catch and temporarily hold rainwater, filtering out pollutants that would otherwise end up in the lake. Because rain gardens are designed to drain quickly and are, therefore, dry most of the time, they are not expected to attract mosquitoes.

Last May, Amundson approached the City of Eden Prairie to seek a collaboration for his Eagle project, the last step required in the journey to become an Eagle Scout.

Amundson said his troop has a tradition of creating projects that are outdoors or provide environmental benefits. Karli Wittner, the city’s forestry and natural resources supervisor, helped him decide the project’s scope and process, he said.

Rain garden will filter runoff, restore prairie

Over the summer, Amundson worked in partnership with Wittner and other city staff, along with friends and family, to dig and plant the garden. He said fellow Scouts Myles Rocco, Hans Syvertsen, Matthew Barton, Mason Weber, and Bennett Wimmer worked hard on the project with him.

Amundson said the site had already been sloped by an excavator when the new Round Lake Park building was constructed. However, the city provided Amundson’s team with augers to further hollow out the rain garden space, which is about eight inches deep.

The city also provided native plants for the project, as the rain garden doubles as a prairie restoration initiative.

Well-chosen plants can prevent soil erosion and attract wildlife, including important pollinating insects, Amundson said. They can also help filter runoff.

“All of the water runoff from the new building and parking lot will get funneled down into the rain garden pond, and the plant roots will help channel the water into the ground,” Amundson said. “From there, the runoff will go down further into the groundwater, which will eventually go into the lake.”

Amundson said he hopes the project will help improve the water quality at Round Lake, which in recent years has been troubled by low water levels and high levels of bacteria. This past summer, the city did not officially open the beach or provide lifeguards for swimming due to expected poor water quality.

Final steps include fundraising for a sign, Eagle project approval

Amundson explained that Eagle projects aim to provide service to a religious institution, school, or community. “They can’t benefit the Boy Scouts in any way, and you have to show evidence of training, development and leadership,” he said. Eagle projects are also the last major requirement needed to become an Eagle Scout.

Although most of the work is done on the rain garden except for plant maintenance, Amundson is currently working to raise $2,500 to cover the cost of an educational sign to be installed nearby. He said that the sign will explain what the rain garden is, how it works, and include instructions on how to build one at home.

Once the project is finished, regional scout leaders at the Northern Star Council will evaluate Amundson’s results. If they approve, he will earn the top rank of Eagle Scout.

Amundson said his Scouting experience has been incredibly valuable, allowing him not only to make friends and participate in fun activities like camping and adventure trips, but, most importantly, to grow in personal character.

“That’s the goal of Boy Scouts, to shape you into a strong, upstanding person who’s honest, who’s kind, and who’s trustworthy,” he said. “The outings are really nice and we have a lot of fun, but those are also designed to help people get used to responsibility and really prepare you for life.”

How to join BSA Scouts

Eden Prairie’s BSA Troop 479 welcomes new members from any race, ethnic background, gender, or orientation, according to the troop’s website. Membership is open to youth ages 11 to 18 willing to accept Scouting’s values and meet membership requirements. Prior experience as a Cub Scout is not necessary, and people can join at any time during the year.