(Earlier this summer, five individuals from Boy Scout Troop 118 participated in the Eagle Scout Court of Honor to receive the highest award in Scouting. To earn their Eagle award, Nicholas Conti, Steven Tucker, Jack Reynolds, Gavin O’Rourke, and Albert Kirienko needed to complete a community service project. The Cornwall Local has been describing in more detail the work completed by these young men.)

Gavin O’Rourke loves bringing his dogs to the Cornwall Bark Park off of Angola Road. So when it came time to choose an Eagle Scout project, he decided to make improvements to the canine play area rather than complete a project at the Hudson Valley SPCA or Black Rock Forest.

Around the age of seven, O’Rourke had developed a love of the outdoors. To foster that passion, his parents encouraged him to join Cub Scouts as a Wolf. There he met a group of people with whom he developed a lifelong bond.

“It was about having a group of guys [with whom] you had these cool experiences that you wouldn’t get otherwise,” said O’Rourke.

Once he developed a plan, O’Rourke presented it to Town of Cornwall Supervisor Josh Wojehowski and Highway Superintendent Tom Gschwind. Overall, they approved of the concept - building new benches and adding crates to hold dog toys - but Gschwind also suggested putting up leash holders. The next step was getting approval from the Boy Scout Council, which offered no changes to the original plan.

The go-ahead was granted in June 2025 and work on the project began three months later. O’Rourke scheduled two four-hour work sessions and recruited six volunteers to assist including family, friends, and Highway Department employees.

O’Rourke decided to make log benches about five to six feet in length. He visited New York Tree Masters to obtain logs from locust trees which are best for not getting weathered over time.

The town contributed planks to serve as seats. The stumps needed to be cleaned and sanded and then the wood was coated with wood sealers and stain before the planks were connected to the log legs. Crates and leash holders were attached to the fence forming the enclosed play area.

One of the challenges O’Rourke faced was obtaining materials for the project, which were all donated. The toughest was transporting the stumps which weighed about 40 lbs. each.

Taking on a leadership role throughout the project was a slight challenge, but one O’Rourke relished.

“It was pretty new to be in charge and have to tell everyone what to do and make sure everything was in order. It was also fun and I liked to be in that role. I just needed to be patient and observant and make sure everything was going according to my plan but also know how to help.”

Since completing the project, O’Rourke has gone to check it periodically. Visitors to the park have had nothing but good things to say. “I thought it was a good project, and I liked that I got to do it at the dog park because I love dogs.”

O’Rourke is unsure what his future in scouting will be, but he hopes to help prospective Eagle Scouts complete their projects and attend their award ceremonies.