Eagle Scout Candidate Builds Handicapped Accessible Fitness Stations Around Outdoor Track

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: June 6, 2008

CONTACT: Lisa Saunders

(845) 574-4244

High School Eagle Scout Candidate Builds Handicapped Accessible Fitness Stations around
SUNY Rockland Community College’s Outdoor Track

Suffern, NY - A Suffern High School student designed, built and installed handicapped accessible fitness stations, a drinking fountain, and benches around the SUNY Rockland Community College outdoor track for his Eagle Scout project. The track is available to all county residents and can be reached through the Viola Road entrance.

Michael Asch, an Eagle Scout candidate with Suffern Troop 21, will dedicate his service project at the outdoor track on Wednesday, June 11, 5:30 p.m. Dr. Cliff L. Wood, President, the Board of Trustees and other College officials will be in attendance.

"I wanted my Eagle Scout project to be something of substance—something I can be proud to show my future children and grandchildren," said Asch of Montebello. To bring his year-long planning to fruition, Asch worked several hundred hours on weekends and school nights and gave up his spring break—arriving at 7 a.m. and leaving at dusk.

The physical tasks were a combined effort. A requirement of an Eagle Scout service project is to manage the work of others in order to build leadership skills. He worked with a crew and two adults at all times for safety. He said, "I oversaw carpentry, painting, sanding, cementing, and assembling crews.  His volunteers included a licensed plumber, excavator, and backhoe operator. In addition, local merchants offered their advice and donated some materials. Asch wanted to emphasize this as a community endeavor, so he also recruited students, faculty, staff, senior citizens and neighbors. To date, his completed work includes:

• Pull-up station: bars suspended between wooden beams at varying heights. The lowest bar may be used by wheelchair bound individuals.
• Sit-up bench: with bar to hold feet in place.
• Push-up station: includes parallel hand grips for military style push-ups plus bars positioned at various heights for standard style push-ups.
• Stretching station: includes different size beams to lean on or push against to stretch various parts of the body. One section can also be used by individuals in wheelchairs--they can exercise their arms by pushing and pulling themselves back and forth while sitting.
• Sitting benches and drinking fountain: Includes two shelters for shade.  

To learn more about the College, visit www.sunyrockland.edu

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Rockland Community College, a unit of the State University of New York, is located 25 miles northwest of NYC. The majority of its students transfer to four-year colleges, and many find immediate employment upon earning their associate's degree or certificate. The College also offers others, from preschoolers to senior citizens, the opportunity to simply learn something new. Quality education...at a price you can afford.