In 1997, Eric Winberg helped turn the empty field and wetlands behind Daphne Middle School into an outdoor classroom where students could explore the area rather than just hurry past.
The hefty project, which included visits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, netted Winberg his Eagle Scout award and kicked off a transformation of the 4-acre area that has been shaped and molded since then by local Eagle Scouts, resulting in a stunning public space.
Eight Eastern Shore Boy Scouts have completed projects at the site, crafting a public space that boasts a boardwalk, birding trail, pier and butterfly garden. The public is invited to a ceremony on Saturday, March 26, to recognize the scouts and officially open the facility.
"It's pretty cool to see that so many Eagle Scouts have come behind me and used my project as a template to do their project. It's one heck of a compliment," Winberg said.
Winberg's initial project was a 110-foot walkway into the wetlands. With the help of his Daphne Middle School science teacher and principal the project was expanded to include an outdoor classroom on a 900-square-foot pavilion, a 100-foot-long pier into the pond and the planting of over 900 native trees. Once Winberg's cousin signed on to help with construction, other local companies donated time and labor.

"It grew bigger than we ever imagined," said Winberg, who now lives in Gulf Shores. "To go back now and take my kids there, it will be neat to see everything come full circle."
Since then, eight Eagle Scouts have completed their projects at the site. They are:
Tucker Harrison, who in 2019 reconstructed the 100-foot wooden pier that Winberg built. It had weathered and needed repairs. Everything was replaced except for the original posts which were set by the U.S. Core of Engineers. The rebuilt pier included wire fencing between the top and bottom boards for safety.
Joshua Boxx created the tree and birding trail in 2019 which winds through the grassy area, down the west side of the wetlands pond and to the left of the pier. There are tags on posts near 20 native trees. Pamphlets that include maps and information about the trees are available inside a mailbox at the site.
That same year Jackson Barnes built a low, open-view barrier fence across the grassy area to keep vehicles out. He added several benches and relocated two purple martin birdhouses.
During the pandemic James Marlowe cleared a trail from the Daphne Middle School gym to the pier for easier access. The pond's duck house was relocated, and two wooden benches were added at the trailhead.
Andrew Agostinelli cleared a trail from the east side of the wetlands to the pavilion. The winding trail splits the wetlands in half and has a view of a pine grove on one side and the pond on the other.
Ty Postle built a bridge over the wetlands overflow water ditch and installed a trail from the right side of the pier to the trail Agostinelli added.
Finally in 2022 Samuel Taylor added a new roof to the 900 square foot pavilion, ran new electrical lines, repaired and painted the spaces' picnic tables and mounted a new U.S. flag.
The park is now open to school groups during school hours and to the public on the weekends and during evening hours.