How to Rock an Eagle Scout Project: Cannon Ford’s Kiosk Build at Red Mountain Park

This summer, local Scout Cannon Ford showed exactly how it’s done by completing a standout Eagle Scout Service Project that added two new trail map kiosks to key areas of Red Mountain Park. His journey is one of planning, persistence, heat-induced determination, and ultimately, success. It’s a perfect example of how young leaders can contribute to Jefferson County Greenways through hands-on volunteer work.

What It Takes: A Volunteer Coordinator’s Field Notes

To capture the spirit of the project and the humor, heart, and hard work behind it, we’re excited to share the following account written by Sloan Miles, JCG Volunteer Coordinator. Sloan worked closely with Cannon throughout the process and captured the story in a way that is both funny and inspiring, showcasing the true grit and determination displayed by Cannon in completing the project.

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Dearest Reader,

Are you an aspiring Eagle Scout? Do you know an aspiring Eagle Scout? Did you answer “no” to both questions, but still have about 2-3 minutes to read a somewhat entertaining and informative blog post? This article aims to outline the necessary steps to successfully start and complete an Eagle Scout or Gold Award Service Project with the Jefferson County Greenways.

We’ll start this off with our main character, Cannon Ford. In March of this year, Cannon came to us inquiring about how he might be able to take on a project with us in hopes of receiving his Eagle Scout Award. Up until this point, we hadn’t received many inquiries from scouts regarding service projects we could commission, so we took a chance on the young lad.

In April, after emailing back and forth with Cannon and settling on his project to refurbish two of our trail map kiosks, Cannon met with our Superintendent, Fran Marks, our Red Mountain Park Manager, Mark Beggs, and me (Sloan Miles, Volunteer Coordinator) to discuss the project in depth. We provided him with the design plans, explained the project's nuances, and listened as he shared his heart behind wanting us as his beneficiary. Cannon grew up visiting Red Mountain Park and figured this would be the best place to give back through service. Touched, honored, and with the once-familiar glimmer of childlike wonder in our teary eyes, we signed off on the project for Cannon to take it over. Right off the bat, we had the utmost confidence in Cannon to approach and undertake this project with professionalism and gusto.

Lesson #1: First impressions matter. Sell the dream. Make grown men cry.

Fast-forwarding through the months of May and June, Cannon had to wait for approval from his committees to begin the project. This included running a cost estimate of needed materials, fundraising for these materials, purchasing all the materials and equipment needed, and then finally beginning construction on the kiosks based on the blueprints we provided. Is it too early for a young man to experience the adult joys of arbitrarily waiting on the approval of committees of whom you don’t even know the people who constitute them? Of course not! There’s never too much red tape to cut through! Navigating through excessive bureaucracy and overemphasizing adherence to (sometimes) baseless rules and formalities is a necessary journey that knows no age requirement. Cannon certainly got his fair share of this experience, as every young person should.

Lesson #2: Remain steadfast amidst adversity. Please make that meeting you’re planning an email.

Needing to get this project done before his birthday to meet the requirements of the Eagle Scout Award, Cannon and “time” became familiar foes rather quickly. But Cannon, unwavered and full of Herculean resolve, remained determined to see this through to the end. With the deadline quickly approaching, Cannon busted out the completed kiosks in less than a month and was ready to install these bad boys with plenty of time to spare. July came. Cannon saw. Cannon conquered.

Lesson #3: Buckle up, eat your Wheaties, replenish your electrolytes.

Cannon completed this saga by coming to Red Mountain Park and installing both kiosks with some additional helping hands. After each kiosk was properly leveled, assembled, and installed, Cannon earned the right to mark his contributions with his Eagle Scout Project plaques, shook some hands, and left his stamp on Red Mountain Park (in an ecologically friendly way).

Final Lesson: Don’t be afraid to be great.

Sometime this upcoming weekend, bring your friends and family and come out to Red Mountain Park to enjoy the trails, Remy’s Dog Park, or our many other features we boast. If you have any issues finding them, we now have two very attractive-looking kiosks to welcome and guide you, thanks to Eagle Scout Cannon Ford. You can see these beautiful works of art and feats of modern engineering at the start of the Frankfurt Drive entrance to the park and the top of the hill at the Protective Life Picnic Area.

If Cannon’s story has inspired you, Jefferson County Greenways offers numerous ways to get involved. Whether you’re planning an Eagle Scout project, Gold Award, or just want to make a difference, we’d love your help.

A huge thank-you to Cannon Ford for his incredible contribution to Red Mountain Park. We wish him all the best as he continues his journey at The University of Alabama in the fall.

Warm regards,

Sloan Miles
JCG Volunteer Coordinator

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Q&A with Cannon Ford

Q: What insights, if any, did you take away from the planning, execution, and completion of this project?

A: “What I took away is that procrastination sneaks up on you quickly, so keep moving in whatever phase you’re in, and you'll get it done.”

Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your project?

A: “The most challenging aspect was probably just the building. We had to build most of it in the heat, so it was hot, and it took a while on parts since we ran into some problems, but it was worth it in the end and turned out great.”

Q: Any advice to current scouts planning their Eagle Scout or Gold Award projects?

A: "Do it somewhere it will benefit others and has an importance to yourself."

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