Scout holds ribbon-cutting ceremony for new walking path in Foothills

During the cooler hours of the early mornings and this coming fall, those residing in the Foothills area will now have a new walking path created by a local teen.

Yuman Brandon Mendoza recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a path located at Desert Grace Community Church of the Nazarene, 12134 E. North Frontage Road.

“The community was a big help and it’s awesome that the community came together,” Mendoza noted at the ceremony.

The walkway is about a mile long and includes a prayer garden with brick patios, crosswalks, a small bridge, a doggie cleanup station and a pole marker installed to inspire future Eagle Scouts with their projects for the community.

“It’s for all the people who donated their time, effort, supplies and it’s for future Eagles to put their plaques on there if they have a project at the church,” Mendoza said.

A large part of the project, he added, is the engraved bricks placed in the patio areas of the walkway that were purchased by those wishing to leave their own marker on the path.

Initially, Mendoza began the project to help supplement the need for a walking area in the Foothills. Along the way, Mendoza said an important part of the project has been the community, as he endeavored to include others in the process of creating the walkway as well.

Mendoza raised about $3,800 for the red gravel path. Additionally, he received donations from local businesses and time from volunteers who helped him put in about 850 working hours into the walkway.

The teen embarked on creating the path as a Life Scout pursuing an Eagle Scout rank which requires the completion of community service projects and demonstrations of responsibility. He is currently a member of Troop 8156.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone that contributed to this path,” Mendoza said.

Pastor Clint Augustyn of Desert Grace Community Church said that he plans to keep the path serviced well into the future with the help of others because it adds to the amenities offered in the Foothills area.

The church can be reached at (928) 305-1132.

Buy these photos at YumaSun.com PHOTOS BY RACHEL TWOGUNS/YUMA SUN SCOUT BRANDON MENDOZA CUTS THE RIBBON AT A CEREMONY held June 8 to celebrate the completion of a new walking path in the Foothills at Desert Grace Community Church of the Nazarene, 12134 E. North Frontage Road.

CHARLES DILLAN, A YOUTH WHO ATTENDED THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY for Scout Brandon Mendoza’s walking path project, takes a look at the pole maker placed on the walkway that recognizes those who donated and helped create the path. The marker also serves...