15-year-old Wesley Barefoot saw an opportunity in his community to increase water safety and drowning prevention efforts and took action. As Wesley’s Eagle Scout Service Project with Boy Scout Troup 360 of Granbury, he partnered with the City of Granbury to place a life jacket loaner station at Granbury City Beach Park (505 E. Pearl St.).

The life jacket loaner station, which is now available for use at City Beach Park, is a permanent unmanned station stocked with free life jackets that anyone visiting the beach can borrow while they are there.

To bring the project to life, Wesley first came to the City with his plans by meeting with Mayor Nin Hulett and Granbury Parks and Recreation Director Aaron Mclain to work out the details for his vision. To successfully complete his Eagle Scout Service Project, Wesley took on the leadership of the project, with the City playing a supporting role. Wesley worked to prepare and compile all of the needed supplies and led his team of boy scouts from Troup 360 in assembly of the station.

As life jackets are likely to be lost or damaged over the course of the summer season, the proceeds from the City’s Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Run For Your Peeps 5K will be used to buy new life jackets each year and cover any other ongoing maintenance costs. Additional information and registration for the second annual Run For Your Peeps 5K on Saturday, April 13, 2019 is at www.granbury.org/5k.