Scouts at Work: Trail, Infrastructure, Habitat & Educational Projects at Rhinoceros Creek Reservation
When the Somers Land Trust received Christine Beshar's generous donation of the 115 acres that became Rhinoceros Creek Reservation, Somers' scouts stepped up to make a difference. Within its two parcels, Rhinoceros Creek boasts a surprising number of habitats: streams, human-constructed and beaver ponds, wetlands, forest, and upland rocky hills. Not only that, but Rhinoceros Creek sits directly over a major aquifer which supplies water to many residents, including those in Heritage Hills. So every project by our scouts not only makes this neighborhood green space more accessible, it also helps protect the future of our drinking water.​
2025
Matteo Goulart
Troop 228/Eagle Scout Project
​Southwest parcel
Matteo cleared an area above the driveway overlooking the pond and installed two benches in honor of fallen heroes of 9/11.
2024
Logan Lobasso
Troop 228/Eagle Scout Project
​Southwest parcel
Logan constructed a beautiful large kiosk next to the pavilion. Its style complements the kiosk while the large display surface (4x6 feet) will enable SLT to post trail maps and other information.
2024
Liam McGuinness
Troop 376/Eagle Scout Project
​Southwest parcel
Liam built and installed wooden steps on a steep section of the Green Trail. The stairs are near a beautiful section of rock outcropping, and enable hikers to pause to enjoy the terrain.
2024
Benny Silk
Troop 228/Eagle Scout Project
​Northeast parcel
Benny re-routed a 200 yard portion of the Blue Trail to avoid wet areas and built several foot bridges over a small stream and wet spots.
2024
Andrew Marzella
Troop 228/Eagle Scout Project
​Southwest parcel
Andrew cleared an area along the edge of the pond and constructed an arched bridge connecting it to the pavilion area. (Benches, donated by two SLT board members and the Somers Women's Club were later placed in the new area.)
2024
Joe Dwyer
Troop 228/Eagle Scout Project
​Southwest parcel
Joe cleared out invasive plants to make a new trail just past the shed and installed a bridge over a small stream.
2023
Matthew Hirsch
Troop 376/Eagle Scout Project
​Southwest parcel
Matthew cleared invasive plants from both sides of a steep slope on the Green Trail, installed wooden steps, and added a rope hand rail.
2023
Anthony Altieri
Troop 228/Eagle Scout Project
Southwest parcel​
Anthony constructed bridges over two streams along the Green Trail, and removed invasive plants around the bridges.
2023
Mark Tengstrom
Troop 228/Eagle Scout Project
​Northeast parcel
Mark built a bird blind and the Red-and-White trail extension from the Blue Trail that leads to the blind. Within the blind, he built a bench and included a poster of waterfowl and birds that may be seen in the area.
2022
Matthew Ouimette
Troop 228/Eagle ScoutProject
​Northeast parcel
Matthew cleared a trail and built a bridge over the outlet stream from the beaver pond. The bridge offers a peaceful spot to observe turtles, birds, waterfowl and even the beaver working on the dam.
2022
Girl Scout Troop 1724
​Southwest parcel
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The troop purchased three winterberry shrubs with proceeds from their cookie sale, then planted them near the native garden surrounding the pavilion.
2020-21
Michael Witkiewicz
Troop 228/Eagle Scout Project
​Northeast parcel
Michael planned and cleared a forested portion of the Blue Trail, installed bog bridges over a stream and a wet area, and built steps on steep areas of the trail.
2020-21
Nathan Bellio
Troop 376/Eagle Scout Project
​Southwest parcel
Nathan cleared and extended a portion of the Green Trail and also built and installed bridges over two streams.