Teen’s Eagle Scout project blooms in town parks

     Visitors to three parks in Miami Lakes can enjoy seeing flowering orchids attached to trees, thanks to an Eagle Scout project by Aidan Schwinghammer.

      The Miami Lakes Town Foundation awarded Aidan $2,500 in 2022 to help him reach his goal: To attach 1,000 orchids to trees in Veterans Park, Graham Park and Picnic Park East.

      Aidan, 15, is a rising sophomore at Barbara Goleman Senior High School and a member of Boy Scout Troop 566. He was guided by Dr. Jason Downing of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The Garden’s Million Orchid Project to attach the flowering plants to trees in South Florida is underway.

     During the month of June, Aidan raised additional funds at a garage sale and from donations. He trained scouts and helpers on how to plant the orchids that were grown in labs, and they watered them. The project has cost $3,250, Aidan said. 

     “So far the orchids seem to be doing pretty well,” Aidan said. “Some have already started flowering.”