By Allison Espiritu

Staff Reporter

Growing up loving the outdoors, 17-year-old Mount Si junior, Tony Gaudio decided to incorporate his passion for the outdoors to earn his wings as an Eagle Scout.

To become an Eagle Scout, it takes 21 merit badges — some taking up to 90 days — and dedicated hours and planning to perform an Eagle project.

The project must be something helpful for others that an individual donates back to the community.

Gaudio’s passion for the outdoors reached beyond a hobby when he decided to build an observation deck at the Fisher Creek Bike Park in Snoqualmie Ridge for his Eagle Project.

Scouting has always been a big part of Gaudio’s life. Following in the footsteps of his 19-year-old brother Nicholas, also a Scout who reached Eagle status, Gaudio said he looked up to his brother and wanted to do the same.

Mountain biking for several years and one of 12 individuals who ride for Singletrack Cycles, a small bike shop, Gaudio figured that building a deck at the park would be a great way to give back to the biking community.

“There is no designated area to watch from the park,” he said. After lots of planning, signatures for approval from the mayor, city council and Eagle board members and support from a foudnation to assist with the project, Gaudio has now put the project into play.

Taking up a 10 by 20 foot section near the bike track, the observation deck will be two inches above the ground for easy wheelchair access.

“There will be a lot of people out here,” Gaudio said. “People come out here mainly on the weekends and after school.”

He teamed up with Parks Board Director, Larry White. The two are still thinking of ways they can make the observation deck’s design better.

Gaudio estimates the project will take about two days to construct and should be finished by the end of November, or before the weather turns for the worse.

After graduation, Gaudio wants to study forestry at either Western Washington University or Montana State University.