HomeMy WebLinkAboutEagle Scout Recognition Press Release
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Hannah Watkins, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9519 • hwatkins@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eagle Scout Service Project Brings Books to Edinborough Park
Edina, Minn., Nov. 24, 2014 – 15-year-old Edina resident Will Burns wanted to transform young children’s
down time into educational moments through his Eagle Scout service project. With this idea in mind, he
created “little libraries” to be placed throughout Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S.
Burns grew up swimming competitively at Edinborough Park with the Edina Swim Club. During one of his
practices, he noticed kids sitting around – swimmers on break or siblings of the swimmers waiting for their
brothers or sisters to finish practices. He then began to think about how this “lost time” could be better
utilized.
“My Eagle Scout project addresses youth literacy -- specifically how to take advantage of the ‘lost time’ kids
have today and turn [it] into an opportunity to improve their reading skills,” he explained.
Since Burns spent so much time at Edinborough Park as a young boy, he thought placing mini libraries
throughout the park would be the best way to reach other young children. He shared his idea with Patty
McGrath, General Manager of Edinborough Park. McGrath and her team were eager to help Burns bring his
plan to life.
“Kids think of Edinborough Park as a really fun pace to be, so if kids discover reading is fun while they are
here, then it is a win-win for everyone,” said McGrath.
Edinborough Park has three permanent libraries and one mobile library that will be moved throughout the
park. Children can take a book home from one of the libraries and bring the book back the next time they
visit or keep that book and bring one of their own books to the library instead. The idea is to maintain an
appropriate amount of books in the library that are constantly changing.
Both Hitachi Foundation and Cargill Foundation helped fund Burns’ project and many volunteers helped with
the book drive that was held to stock the libraries. Southwestern Publishing also donated a significant amount
of reading materials.
A ceremony was at Edinborough Park Monday, Nov. 24, in order to share with others what Burns has done
for the children in the community.
“I hope kids visiting Edinborough Park will take advantage of the libraries to get in a little extra reading time
and be better prepared to succeed in school,” said Burns.
For more information about the park, contact McGrath at 952-833-9542.
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