The tennis court at Officer Robert Hayes Memorial Playground, 9945 President St., had fallen into disrepair over time. Cracks had formed in the playing surface, and weeds had taken over, making the court unusable.
Recognizing the need for restoration, Koshy John Thalakal, an 11th-grader at Central High School and a Boy Scout from BSA Troop 18, chose to take on the renovation as his Eagle Scout project. Koshy worked to rehabilitate the neglected court, making it a functional space for the community.
Koshy, with the support of fellow Troop 18 members, spent two days clearing away part of the overgrown weeds. Then Koshy spent a few more days clearing the weeds all along the cracks. Once the surface was cleared, Koshy cleaned out the cracks and filled them with new asphalt, compacting it firmly to restore the court’s functionality. He dedicated his entire summer evenings to ensure the project’s completion.
Friends and family contributed donations to help cover the costs of the materials, making the revitalization of the tennis court a true community effort. ••
