Dryden teen's Eagle Scout project is new playscape at Cardinal Field

DRIED — Grace VandenBerghe, 17, of Dryden, grew up in the village and thought the community needed a play area for young children. Seeing none, she got to work raising money for a playing landscape to be located at Cardinal Field.

“There’s not really a place in town where kids can play. I wanted to change that, so people didn’t have to go somewhere else for their kids to play,” said VandenBerghe, a recent graduate of Almont High School.

His ambition to have a playground in Dryden took a big step forward Wednesday afternoon when VandenBerghe, a member of Scouting America Troop 131G, accepted four ceremonial checks from two local foundations as well as the village of Dryden and of Dryden Township. She decided to make her Eagle Scout project the installation of a playground in her hometown – following in the footsteps of her brother, Shane, who in 2020 completed a playground project at the nearby county park of General Squier, in Dryden Township, for its Eagle Scout project.

On Wednesday, the village of Dryden presented a check for $20,000; Dryden Township contributed $3,400; the Four County Community Foundation presented $13,500; and the Lapeer County Community Foundation donated $3,000 to the project led by VandenBerghe.

Eagle Scout projects must be completed before the sponsor candidate turns 18 years of age. VandenBerghe must complete the project by July 14, when she will celebrate her 18th birthday.

“I thought a playground was something this community could use. I think it will be very useful,” said VandenBerghe who raised funds through an ongoing collection of plastic bottles, while receiving many donations from citizens and businesses in the area.

Other major donors include: Metamora Lions Club, $1,000; Almont Lions Club, $750; Fenton Medical Center, $750; Mark Frank, $500; and $500 from Ron Sarka Farrier, LLC.

Donations of $250 or less were received by the Dryden Methodist Church, Lapeer Area Elks, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Farmers Insurance-Alen Graham in Dryden, Daley Farm, Advanced Scraping Co., as well as Scottie Doolittle, Sara and Brandon Laprise Brick Paver and Nancy and Shawn Regentin.

To date, VandenBerghe has raised more than $45,000, which exceeded his goal. “The support we have received has been incredible. It's really awesome,” she commented. Fundraising continues for the playscape as the total cost of the project has not been determined.

Area residents who wish to donate their returnable beverage containers for the landscaping project can drop them off at the Dryden Village office on Main Street. Other ways to help the project include purchasing brick pavers. See more information on the VandenBerghe Facebook page.