Michael Hames, the son of Mary and Colin Hames of New Ulm, worked at the park project Monday and Tuesday.

“I contacted New Ulm Park & Recreation and they led me to the park project,” said Hames. I’ve thought of accomplishing the Eagle Scout award ever since I was a kid. It’s a big deal,” he said.

Eagle Scout requirements include being a Life Scout (troop leader guiding new scouts and helping the troop in any way possible) for six months, earning at least 21 merit badges and holding troop leadership positions.

Just 4% of Scouts become Eagle Scouts after a lengthy review process.

Submitted photo New Ulm Boy Scout Michael Hames primes and paints door trim at Washington Park as part of his Eagle Scout rank requirements.

Hames said his scouting friends Anton and Eli Pyan of New Ulm also helped him with the park project.

“This is a heavily-used park,” New Ulm Park & Recreation Director Joey Schugel said. “This project is something our department planned to complete this year, but Michael took it upon himself to complete it for his Eagle Scout requirement.”

Schugel said with Hames and the scouts doing the project, the City of New Ulm saved $500 to $1,000 in staff time and it allowed staff to do other projects and tasks.

Other projects Hames has done include twice a year Adopt-A-Highway (ditch clean-up) projects on two miles of Brown County Highway 13 south of New Ulm and on two miles of Highway 14 on the west end of town with about 20 other scouts.

He is also active in the New Ulm Optimist Club Adopt-A-Highway program and the Scouting For Food program.

A senior at New Ulm High School this fall, Hames participates on the soccer and track and field teams.