ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen last week thanked Boy Scout Quinton Thomas for spearheading a clean up of the town's Columbia World War I Memorial Park.

 

Thomas was given a certificate of appreciation Wednesday at the board's regular meeting for his work on the Columbia Street park.

 

"I think that cleaning up monuments and just overall trying to improve everything we have in this great town makes it such a better place," Thomas said. "When people come by they see the train and all of the old mills ... I didn't want that park to be something they just pass by."

 

Thomas is working toward his Eagle Scout service award and said after spending some time trying to find a good project he settled on the park.

 

"I looked around town and was looking for something that needed some extra love," he said. "Last year I took a gander at it and I saw that it was in shambles. It kind of looked like it did go through a war."

 

The park across from the Memorial Building dates to around 1920 but was redone with new monuments in 2002. 

 

Thomas painted and stained the benches and trash barrels at the park. He also power washed the monuments and built raised flower beds in which he planted flowers.

 

Thomas also added mulch and cleaned the sidewalk.

 

He thanked fellow Scouts and his family for helping him. He also thanked the Department of Public Works employees who spent some time at the park.

 

"They were a huge help. They were there early in the morning getting stuff ready so we could have the volunteers come in late in the afternoon to do what was on the agenda," he said. "It has been really great."

 

The board thanked Thomas and Selectman James Bush said when he first saw what he was doing, he had to take a double take.

 

"I just want to say thank you. The first time I drove by I had to turn around and drive back again because I couldn't believe it," he said. "It looks really beautiful."

 

Town Administrator Jay Green, a veteran and former Boy Scout, told Thomas to keep up the good work.

 

"I know what it takes to get to this point in your Boy Scout career and as the town administrator I can't tell you what this means to us," he said. "To have someone like yourself who cares about the town and looks fondly on it. Always keep that wherever you go."