Graham's Eagle Scout Project:Supporting our Rowing Community

My name is Graham Richardson. As a Life Scout working toward the rank of Eagle, I’m leading and organizing a service project that combines my love for rowing with a desire to give back to the community that has shaped who I am. For my Eagle Scout project, I am constructing a bike rack and a Little Free Library at the boathouse where I row and train.

The idea for this project came from a conversation with my beneficiary, who helped me recognize a need at our boathouse: a safe and secure place for people to park their bikes, and a way to encourage learning and connection through reading. Many of the rowers bike to practice as well as people around the park, and having a dedicated bike rack will make a big difference in both convenience and organization.

The second part of my project is building a Little Free Library, which will be filled with rowing-related books, including instructional guides, and books about the history and spirit of the sport. My goal is to inspire younger athletes, educate newcomers, and give visitors a deeper appreciation for rowing. This library will serve as both a resource and a symbol of the strong community that surrounds the sport.

This project is challenging me to take on leadership responsibilities, organizing materials, gathering volunteers, fundraising, and managing the construction process. It represents more than just the final structures; it’s a way for me to give back to the sport and place that have given me so much. I hope this project will benefit rowers for years to come and encourage others to keep learning, growing, and giving back.

All the money raised will be directly benefitting the Passaic River Rowing Association in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. I appreciate any donations to support this project. Thank you!