Although it was a lot more work than he anticipated, Jordan Nortman said completing his Eagle Scout project was a learning process that helped him discover his leadership abilities.

“Mainly, it was a leadership thing,” said Nortman, 16, a junior at Black River Falls High School. “The project is to show that you can lead and develop better unions.”

With the help of volunteers and the Jackson County Forestry Department, Nortman constructed a new playground at West Arbustus County Park in Hatfield in June. Nortman had to complete the project to earn his Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts of America.

A Boy Scout for six years, Nortman said the final project to earn his Eagle Scout rank had to be something that could be used by community members rather than just an individual.

Nortman met with the Forestry Department last winter to discuss his project. The Department already had plans to install the new playground equipment but agreed to let Jordan take over the planning and execution of the project.

“I had to plan it, do the paperwork and be in charge,” Nortman said. “It was a lot more work than I intended.”

Nortman also had to recruit volunteers to help with the construction as well as solicit a donation from Levis Creek Forest Products for the wood chipping to be used on the ground of the play area. Nortman was also involved in picking out what playground equipment to install on the site.

Before construction began, Nortman evaluated the site on which the new playground set was to be constructed. Construction of the project began June 10.

“I was out there to supervise a majority of it,” Nortman said. “I was there to make sure everything went smoothly.”

Once the project was completed at the end of June, Nortman sent in several materials documenting the project to see if he had indeed proven his leadership abilities to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. On Oct. 15, Nortman received a letter that gave him the good news. Nortman’s accomplishment, as well as fellow Eagle Scout Adam Nichols, was honored at a ceremony on Dec. 29.

Nortman said he has heard a lot of positive comments from people about the playground set.

Other than Boy Scouts, Nortman spends his time volunteering, going to school and playing sports, including cross country and golf.

He said he is thankful to have had the opportunity to apply the tools and skills he has learned in Boy Scouts to this project, noting that sometimes big accomplishments require some big work.

“Everything that goes into something is usually a lot more than you think,” he said.