Bridges lead to Eagle Scout honor

A rickety and narrow bridge at a popular recreational spot has inspired an Owatonna teenager to complete a prestigious honor.

Dalton David, a sophomore at Owatonna High School, has constructed two wooden bridges at Rice Lake State Park located east of Owatonna. He recently finished the structures as part of his Eagle Scout project, the highest honor given in Scouts.

The bridges replaced other structures that were “too narrow and falling apart,” David said. Besides pedestrian traffic, the bridges will also allow UTVs and other small recreational vehicles to safely cross.

“The idea came about when we were out at the park,” David said, noting he consulted with park staff members. David learned that some people on recreational vehicles were not able to cross the bridges, forcing them to go around and out of their way to get to other areas of the park.

David said park staff provided him with a list of various projects they need done around the park, but the bridges were top on their priority list. “They would have done this themselves if nobody came along,” he said.

David went to work and put out the call for help. On April 6, about 30 volunteers came to Rice Lake and within five hours they had both bridges completed. Other Scouts and family members joined David on the project.

He was surprised that they were able to get both bridges done in the same day. “I thought it would be two days,” David said. “I had people helping me that knew what they were doing with construction,” he added.

Armed with drills, saws and other power tools, the volunteers made two bridges: 14 by 8 and 16 by 8 foot. David purchased about $1,800 of wood through Alexander Lumber in Owatonna, which gave him a discount of half price. David spent the past several months seeking cash donations around the community for his project. In the end, he had about $175 leftover, and that will be donated to the park.

There was a friendly competition between Scouts and family in building the bridges. “The Scouts won because they had the easier bridge,” said David’s mother, Trisha David. She said she had never been involved with an Eagle Scout project until her son decided to do one.

“This has taught me a lot about leadership,” Dalton David said. He added it’s not easy to get projects like this done, but you can get it done if you put your mind to it.

For Trisha David, it was great to see a project where the entire family came together. “It shows we have a lot of good friends and family backing us,” she said, adding it also showed they had great community support from many people.

Trisha David credits the Eagle Scout project with helping to teach her son how to manage money and responsibility.

Dalton David is one of eight members of Troop 246. He has been involved with Scouts since becoming a Cub Scout in 2014 when he was in first grade. His father, Loren David, who is a former Scout, encouraged him to get involved with the Scouting program. Loren became a leader of Troop 246 a few years ago.

In addition to Scouts, Dalton David enjoys singing, playing the guitar, cooking and baking. He is a country music fan. He said he wouldn’t be surprised if he goes into culinary arts after graduating from high school.

For now, David said he plans to help other Scouts with their projects.

He will be awarded his Eagle Scout at a special ceremony at a later date.