The city of Hilliard has benefited recently from the public service of several Boy Scouts who have chosen beautification and improvement projects to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

Ben Radcliff, 15, and Matt Landy, 18, are two of these Scouts.

Hilliard Recreation and Parks Department Director Steve Mazer said the city is grateful for their service and will recognize them at a future meeting of Hilliard City Council.

Radcliff, a sophomore at Hilliard Darby High School, enlisted 27 others to work a total of 206 hours building new steps and walking paths at the historic train depot at Weaver Park, 4100 Columbia St.

Radcliff said volunteering for the Northwest Franklin County Historical Society last summer during the Franklin County Fair was the inspiration for choosing his project.

The train depot at Weaver Park had a set of railroad ties that served as steps to a raised platform.

Radcliff planned a project to replace the ties with a set of shorter steps at each end of the platform, including handrails.

Flowers and other landscaping were installed between the sets of steps.

The project also entailed painting the platform and installing pavers leading from the asphalt road to the new steps.

The work was finished in mid-May and has considerably enhanced the depot's appearance, Mazer said.

The city provided the raw material while monetary donations were used to purchase landscaping materials. The completed project cost $1,615 for materials and supplies.

The requirements for Eagle Scout are such that the Boy Scout seeking the honor, the highest rank an active Boy Scout can achieve, does not simply perform the work, but rather demonstrates the ability to plan, manage and execute the project.

"Scouting has helped me a lot. It has helped me learn to work with others, respect adults, set and achieve goals and to be a better person," said Radcliff, who joined the Boy Scouts as a first-grade student at Darby Creek Elementary School.

Radcliff is a member of Troop 418 of the Boy Scouts of America, Simon Kenton Council. The Hilliard Presbyterian Church is the sponsor of Troop 418.

Radcliff is a member of the wrestling team and football team at Darby High School. Although he has a few years of high school remaining, Radcliff said he is considering studying civil engineering at the Ohio State University.

He is the son of George and Dodie Radcliff.

Landy, a graduate of Bishop Ready High School, refurbished the sign at the primary entrance to Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park, 3800 Memorial Drive.

He is a member of Troop 814 of the Boy Scouts of America, Simon Kenton Council, which is sponsored by Scioto Ridge United Methodist Church.

About 30 people assisted Landy in the execution of his project, including other Scouts from Troop 814, his family and friends.

"Scouting has helped me build leadership skills and other skills that will help me in college and on the job," said Landy, who plans to attend the Ohio State University and major in marketing.

Like Radcliff, Landy joined the Boy Scouts when he was in the first grade.

Landy's project entailed repainting the entrance sign to the park and other ancillary signs at the park, as well as landscaping and constructing a retaining wall.

The project was finished in April.

Landy is the son of Mark and Becky Landy.

Mark Landy is the Troop Master of Troop 814. Landy's brother, Stephen, 15, also is a member of Troop 814.

A court of honor for Landy was scheduled July 29 at Scioto Ridge United Methodist Church. A court of honor is a ceremony in which a Boy Scout is formally bestowed the Eagle Scout rank after notification he has achieved it.

A court of honor for Radcliff has not been scheduled.