INDIANAPOLIS — INDIANAPOLIS — One teenager is using his Eagle Scout project as a chance to do something good in his neighborhood.
According to residents here in Crown Hill, the closest park for children living here isn't close or convenient at all, but 17-year-old Corey Stapleton is changing that and bringing a park to the community.
“I was 14 years old when the church started building this park, they were building it for senior citizens,” Stapleton said.
Stapleton is a member at Coppin Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Originally, the park was a church project, but Stapleton got permission from the pastor to take it over.
“I decided to build a tire park for the community and youth, I see kids running around here, running across the streets trying to play curb ball. I've seen too many kids almost get hit by cars,” Stapleton said.
The teenager saw a problem and started working to fix it.
“When I grow up, I want to become an architect. I love seeing how things come together,” Stapleton said. “I had to get the workbook. I had to get the application. I had to get a proposal filled out to get it approved."
He even found a cost-effective way to tackle the plan.
“Used tires last and don't cost much so it’s a win, win,” Stapleton said.
On Saturday Stapleton and his Boy Scout Troop brought his plan to life.
“We have a swing in the back, a tire tunnel. We have play dome behind me that they are building and box tire rockers and tic-tac-toe boards,” Stapleton said.
The Coppin Chapel Tire Park is for his Eagle Scout project, a goal less than 5% of his peers accomplish.
“I was signed up for boy scouts at a young age. Started from Cub Scouts about to be an Eagle now,” Stapleton said.
A park that will be around for play long after his goal is achieved.
