Cianciotto builds Walden bridge for Eagle project

Jake Cianciotto and his crew built a bridge and made other landscape improvements in the Walden neighborhood for his Eagle Scout project. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Jake Cianciotto’s work has proven that young people can build bridges … literally.

For his Eagle Scout project, Cianciotto successfully undertook the idea of building a walking bridge in his Walden subdivision in Madison. The bridge presented no small feat for the determined young man, spokesperson Reed Carpenter said.

Cianciotto, who is 15 years old, is a freshman at James Clemens High School.

A member of Troop 676 in Madison, Cianciotto learned all about detailed planning and coordinating. He also gained experience in navigating bureaucracies, from the Home Owners Association (HOA) to the Boys Scouts of America requirements.

“After he submitted his plan to replace the worn-out walking bridge that posed a safety risk to the neighborhood, a savvy HOA approved the project,” Carpenter said. Jake decided to improve his neighborhood community by cleaning and applying a fresh coat of stain to park benches, removing two damaged bridges and reconstructing one of them.

On March 19, Cianciotto took his crew to the site and started the hard work. Cianciotto said the most difficult aspect of the project was “removing the old, damaged bridge across the creek without anyone getting hurt. It was hard to tell if that bridge would break on its own before we could get it cut apart.”

All in all, the project went well and Jake said he learned that “it’s just as important to get the right people to do the job as it is to have the right tools.”

Jake carefully recruited his workers from his troop, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and some adults from the congregation. “The entire neighborhood benefited from his ambition and work. Way to go, Jake,” Carpenter said.

Cianciotto’s work crew included Tyler Bagley, Josh Cianciatto, Robert Driggers, Spencer Frei, Zachary Holcomb, Brandon Petrucka, Bryce Petrucka, Mark Petrucka, Daniel Rogers and Zachary Shafer.