Boy Scout gives La Jolla’s Starkey Park a new bulletin board

Having ridden his bike past La Jolla’s Starkey Park for the better part of a decade, Boy Scout Parker Kaltsas has seen the community bulletin board there deteriorate over time.

So for his Eagle Scout project, Parker did something about it.

The Eagle rank is the highest achievement in the Boy Scouts, and only about 4% of Scouts nationwide earn the title. Eagle Scout candidates must complete a community project, earn 21 merit badges, participate in a leadership conference and meet other prerequisites. Projects must be completed before a Scout turns 18.

Working with community volunteers who help maintain the nearby La Jolla Bike Path, Parker made and installed a new bulletin board in front of Starkey Park on Draper Avenue.

“I live in northern Pacific Beach, so for the past 10 years or so, I would bike the La Jolla Bike Path and would pass Starkey Park,” he said. “When I saw the old rotten bulletin board, I thought it was a good opportunity for me to do something good.”

As a first step, Parker visited other parks and looked at their bulletin boards. He found there was a standard design for San Diego city parks, so with the design predetermined, he developed a construction plan.

“It’s bigger than you might think because of how it digs into the ground,” he said. “It can be 12 or so feet tall.”

Parker would know, since he cut the wood himself. He called on friends to help with the construction once the wood was ready and spent an entire Saturday putting the bulletin board together.

“The construction didn’t take long, but it was challenging,” Parker said. “It was a smooth process once it got going because I had a construction plan and told them all how things were going to go. We fastened the beams together and had to cut and drill each piece.

“I learned a lot about planning and communication and how important it is to be a leader. Even when I was not the one doing the building, I needed to know every step so I could help along the way. It becomes like a factory.”

The project was completed Oct. 1, and in coming weeks Parker will learn whether the bulletin board earns him the Eagle rank — a goal he’s had for some time.

“My dad was an Eagle Scout and he got me introduced to the idea,” Parker said. “When I first joined Boy Scouts, I was in it for the fun things like backpacking and art. But I soon learned and built up my leadership skills and took on more leadership roles. I used to be really shy and introverted, but I became more confident. I learned it’s OK to lead with confidence.”

He said he’s “really satisfied” with how his Eagle project turned out.

“Every time I show my family and friends, someone gives me a compliment,” he said. “It’s a heartwarming thing.”