Fayette Community Hospital now has an outside haven for visitors and staff to enjoy, thanks to Peachtree City Boy Scout Blake Bowler and a host of hard-working supporters.

A mulch-paved path around the pond located at the rear of the medical facility provides a quiet spot to walk, meditate or picnic. Four wood and wrought iron benches are situated beside the water's edge. Several nuttall oak saplings will eventually grow tall enough to supply a bit of shade on warm days.

The pond beautification is Bowler's Eagle Scout project which was completed recently with the help of about 39 scouts, Key Club members from McIntosh High School, and parents from Troop 181 where Bowler is an Eagle Scout candidate.

According to hospital administrator Tracey Coker, this is the first Eagle Scout project completed at the new community hospital. "This is a much-needed addition to the area," Coker said.

Bowler, 14, and an eighth-grader at J.C. Booth Middle School, came up with the project idea around July. With some guidance from his parents, Joe and Holly Bowler, the plan took shape. "This turned out to be a real community project," Bowler's mother said, ticking off the names of individuals and businesses who pitched in.

Bowler succeeded in pulling off the complete job for $104. "I want to thank the businesses who contributed to this project," he said. Lowe's gave Bowler a deep discount on the benches; Nature's Nursery's Labor Day sale helped supply the trees; and Publix, A&P and CiCi's Pizza provided food and drinks for the 40-plus volunteers who showed up to work clearing weeds, planting the trees and assembling the benches.

"I'm pleased with the results," Bowler said. He has already had some positive feedback as well from an adult scouter, Tom Conrad, who saw the pond while visiting his mother who was recently hospitalized. "He told me he really liked it," Bowler reported.

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