Old Mill Park in Longmont has been going through a process of revitalization with the help of Boy Scout Troop 66. Last week, three members of the troop, Kyle Williams, Jackson Staats, and Kyle Taylor, were honored with the St. Vrain Historical Society’s Christine Linroth Volunteer of the Year Award for their contributions to preserve the park.
“All of the support that Old Mill Park and the St. Vrain Historical Society have gotten from Troop 66 is invaluable,” said Alyce Davis, executive director of the St. Vrain Historical Society.
Old Mill Park, which includes five historical buildings dating as far back as 1860, was dedicated to the historical society in 1976. The historical society’s relationship with Troop 66, started in 2012, when member Caleb Martinez, after seeing an article in the local newspaper, decided to make restoration and landscaping in the park the focus of his Eagle Scout project..
Through his project, Martinez learned chairman and superintendent at the time, Galen Miller was scoutmaster for Troop 66 in the ‘60s, when his son was a Boy Scout. Thus, the relationship between Troop 66 and the St. Vrain Historical Society began. In the past seven years, the troop has completed eight projects in the park.
“When I look back over the last seven years, I see such a beautiful representation of what can be accomplished by good people, of all ages, who have a higher purpose,” said Kristy Martinez, wife of Troop 66 Scoutmaster Tony Martinez and mentor of three boys who have gone through the Scouting program.
Boy Scout Troop 66 lays tin at Old Mill Park. By courtesy of Tony and Kristy Martinez
Affolter Cabin, the oldest cabin in Boulder County, was the center point for troop member Kyle Williams’ Eagle Scout project. When park chairman and superintendent Teresa Litman approached Williams with the idea of building a snow cover for the deteriorating cabin, he quickly began drawing up plans.
“Several different projects needed to be done, when I met Kyle (Williams), I just had this feeling that I think he’s going to be the one,” Litman said
Williams’ connection to the park stems from elementary school visits. Knowing he was able to give kids the experience he had then is what made the project all the more worth it, he said.
Williams’ childhood connection with Old Mill Park is something many in the Longmont community have experienced despite it being tucked away behind a street of buildings, making it somewhat of hidden treasure, Litman said.
Litman’s connection with the park is what brought her back to Old Mill in 2013.
“When I was 6 years old, my dad volunteered to do work on the milk house. I remember handing him nails, going OK this is weird, but I know it’s special.’ Then, when my daughter was 6 years old, I brought her to the park and found it in disrepair. That’s when I reached out to Galen Miller and said ‘How can I help?’,” she said.
After Miller’s passing in 2019, Litman stepped in as superintendent of the park.
“He’s like a father figure to me, he was instrumental to this whole process because he had some ideas, ideas of things he wanted to do. And those are some of the things the Boy Scouts have done, help us make his dreams come alive, too,” Litman said.
The Christine Linroth Volunteer of the Year Award honors the work Troop 66 has done to keep those dreams alive, celebrating the work of Williams, Staats and Taylor in particular.
Christine Linroth was a member and volunteer of the historical society and assisted in helping save “Old” St. Stephen’s Church from destruction in the 1970s by rallying the community, Davis said. She then served as a board member and volunteer coordinator of the historical society.
“While the society has had a volunteer award for some time, in the early 2000s the board made the decision to rename the award after her in honor of her longtime volunteer service. The award is meant to honor and recognize volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their service to the society,” Davis said.
Most notably, Linroth coordinated hundreds of volunteers who assisted with the historical society’s antique show fundraisers — Pumpkin Pie Days and the Strawberry Festival — from 1975 to the early 2000s, Davis said.
Troop 66 add the final touches to a picnic table at Old Mill Park. Just a few more to go. By courtesy of Tony and Kristy Martinez
“Receiving this award was truly an honor. As a Scout, I expected nothing in return for helping the community, but it is always an honor to be recognized for my work. I am truly happy beyond words that the historical society thought I deserved an award for my work,” Staats said.
Staats restored nine tables and two footbridges at the park for his Eagle Scout project. Similar to Williams, Staats, when looking for an idea for his project, was told the St. Vrain Historical Society was in need of help. After getting in contact, he joined a group of other scouts in Troop 66 “that were determined to help Old Mill Park and made it happen,” Staats said.
Boy Scout Troop 66 prep bridge for new paint. By courtesy of Tony and Kristy Martinez
Being an active helping hand in the community and extending that opportunity to others to expand engagement also pushed Staats toward Old Mill Park, something Kristy Martinez said has kept Troop 66’s relationship with the park going strong.
“Our relationship with St. Vrain Historical Society, and draw to Old Mill Park, has developed into a perfect match for each organization. Our scouts need ‘work’ to do for their community, in order to complete their Eagle projects. But many of the members of St. Vrain Historical Society are older and unable to do the physical work needed to accomplish these goals. It has developed into a very symbiotic relationship,” she said.
Troop 66 fix gate at Old Mill Park. By courtesy of Tony and Kristy Martinez
Litman, Davis, Kristy Martinez, Williams, and Staats all agree this could not be done without the support and assistance from everyone in Troop 66 and the historical society.
The future of the ongoing relationship between Old Mill Park and Troop 66 is looking bright, Kristy Martinez said.
“2021 is a special year because it is the first time that we have two projects in the works at one of St. Vrain Historical Society’s other property gems: the Hover Home. This year Troop 66 celebrates our 95th birthday, I’m hoping we can arrange to have this celebration at Old Mill Park sometime this summer,” she said.
