City officials and the West Branch Lions Club on Oct. 26 honored Eagle Scout Tyler Dean for turning a designated green space in Pedersen Valley into a soccer field.


The full-sized field has been offered to the community and local soccer leagues for use.

Dean said the city and Lions Club donated the $2,000 Dean budgeted for the equipment and paint and ended up with about $700 left over for future projects to upgrade the area.

“I thought this would be a good project for kids,” he said as dozens of children played an impromptu game on the field during Sunday’s dedication ceremony. “This could be another place for them to practice.”

Mayor Sandy Hatfield said she wanted to honor Dean for coming forward and heading up the work.

“Thank you for taking on the project,” she said.

The city has agreed to take over the maintenance of what will be called Lions Park. Hatfield said the city council will meet Monday to officially vote on the park’s name.

Scout Master Craig Verlo said the land, which is located behind Henderson-Barker Funeral Home on Pedersen Street, was “a patch of dirt a long time ago.”

“(Dean) made this a West Branch event,” Verlo said. “I’m proud of this guy.”

City Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Russell thanked the Lions Club and Dean for contributing to the “blooming” parks and rec department.

“I hope that support will continue to make West Branch a great community,” she said.

Dean put in 34.5 hours planning and carrying out the project himself. He had help from 22 others who put in another 91.5 hours of volunteer work, a lot of which came from other Boy Scouts. Other contributors included River Products Co. and Lynn Schnoebelen, Bruce Barnhart, Lynch’s Excavating and S&S Flatwork and Bret Stout.

“My Eagle Board of Review was held on Aug. 5, 2008, and I am proud to say I am officially and Eagle Scout,” he said. “I’m glad to see it is already being played on.”

Dean said he hopes the soccer field can soon get a shed to store equipment and bleachers for fans.