MEXICO – Justin Welch of Rumford wanted to do something that would help many people, particularly young people.

So when the 17-year-old Mountain Valley High School senior chose a project to earn Eagle Scout status, he spruced up the children’s play area at the Mexico Recreation Park.

“Mexico isn’t able to put as much money and labor into recreation,” Welch said. “I wanted to help make it better.”

When he was younger, Welch swam in the adjacent Swift River and played in the park.

The 12-year member of Boy Scouts didn’t do the entire project alone. He enlisted the help of several other Scouts, donations from at least three area businesses, his grandfather and Assistant Troop 580 leader Richard Welch, and other community members.

That’s the way Eagle Scout projects are supposed to be done, troop leader Richard Philbrick said.

During the more than 300 hours he devoted to the project, Welch painted or restored nearly 50 outdoor gym-type toys, park benches, picnic tables and the park’s picnic pavilion. He also built a new sandbox for tykes, and learned how to make a new sign for the park, from Brushmarx in Hanover.

“I’m proud of him. He’s done a great job,” said Philbrick, a longtime Scout leader and Eagle Scout.

Welch kicked off his project by making a presentation of his plans to the Abenaki Advancement Board. And in October, he must go before the board again to describe what he has done. A Court of Honor will be held for his efforts and to name him an Eagle Scout once his completed project is approved.

Once he becomes an Eagle Scout and turns 18, he can no longer be a member of Troop 580. Instead, said Philbrick, he will become an assistant scout leader. Welch is the 11th Scout who will have achieved Eagle Scout status under Philbrick.

For now, though, Welch is pleased that what he has done has helped out.

“I’ve had a few people come to me, and thanked me for what I did,” he said.

He plans to assist in the repair of the tennis courts at the recreation park, too.