Secaucus Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts Clean Up Imagine Gardens

SECAUCUS, NJ — On July 25, members of Secaucus Boy Scout Troop 222, joined by some Cub Scouts, rolled up their sleeves and worked hard cleaning up the Imagine Gardens, located at 44 Meadowlands Parkway.

This was a major community service project: The Scouts built a Seed Library, a wooden structure designed for residents to freely exchange seed packets of plants, flowers and vegetables.

"This is a good idea, especially because seeds are becoming so expensive," commented one local resident tending a plot in the Imagine Garden.

Secaucus Boy Scout Troop 222 has been going strong since 1926, so the troop turned 100 years old this year. The troop is led by lifelong Secaucus resident and Scoutmaster Christopher "Feef" Namendorf, a veteran of Scouting and an Eagle Scout.

"We wanted to mark our 100th anniversary with something that directly benefits the environment and our neighbors," said Namendorf.

New Scouts worked alongside older Secaucus teens. Direction came from Secaucus Environmental Director Kimberly McCleary, along with dedicated town employees Kaori Lemise and Cyrus Cheng. Kim Correro from Wildflower City also joined.

The Scouts and their parents also built brand-new raised garden beds, which will be placed inside the sensory garden area of the property. This specialized area is designed to engage all five senses. Visitors can hear peaceful wind chimes, see and touch a vibrant array of beautiful flowers, and interact with unique musical structures. The new raised beds will allow the town to grow aromatic flowers for residents to easily smell and enjoy.

The Scouts tackled a severely overgrown garden bed that was completely filled with weeds. In what turned out to be back-breaking work; the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and parents had to carefully separate the struggling native plants from the thick weeds.

Once rescued, they successfully replanted the native species into a different section of the Imagine Gardens.

The Scouts and parents who helped with this project will receive the “Conservation Good Turn Award,” which is awarded by Scouting America to members who participate in an environmental conservation project.