CLARKSVILLE, IN (October 23, 2023) – Something very important has been missing from Clarksville’s Lewis and Clark Park, and now a local Boy Scout is stepping in to help. Just over a month ago, the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department was forced to remove three large flag poles, which once flew an old version of the American flag as well as two other historic flags. The flag poles were simply logs trimmed to resemble poles, similar to the historic flag poles from the days of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

Since the flag poles were not like traditional poles of today, the flags couldn’t be lowered and raised with a rope. Instead, the Clarksville Fire Department would have have to visit the park with a ladder truck whenever the tattered flags needed to be replaced. Unfortunately due to part of the nearby road being washed away by the Ohio River, the fire department can no longer get a truck back into the park safely. With no way to replace the flags when they became worn, the Parks and Recreation Department decided to remove the flag poles.

Thanks to local Boy Scout Gabe Ellnor of Clarksville’s Troop 4010, the park won’t go without Old Glory flying high for too long. Ellnor decided to help by using his required Eagle Scout project to bring flags back to Lewis & Clark Park. Eagle Scout projects are an opportunity for a Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of their community. This is the culmination of the Scout’s leadership training, and it requires a significant effort on his or her part, including raising the necessary funds and finding volunteers to help construct the project.

“Having to remove the flag poles from Lewis & Clark Park was unfortunate,” said BJ Nelson-Lynton, Clarksville Parks Superintendent.  “Needless to say we were excited to meet a local Scout who wanted to help, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish.”

Ellnor says the new flags will be located in the park right next to the Ohio River Greenway trail, and there will be surrounded by new landscaping with beautiful native plants. The poles will also be modern and allow for the Parks and Recreation Department to change out the flags without the assistance of the Fire Department.

In order to fund the project, Gabe Ellnor is asking the local community for help through a new GoFundMe campaign. Ellnor has raised nearly $1,000 so far, but he has a long way to go to reach the $6,500 he will need to complete the project. Once the necessary amount is raised, Ellnor and his fellow Scouts from Clarksville’s Troop 4010 will get to work on installation. If you would like to make a donation to Gabe Ellnor’s campaign, please click here.

Clarksville’s Troop 4010 is open to all boys and girls ages 11-17, and there are separate troops for boys and girls. Meetings are held every Monday at 7:00pm at St. Anthony of Padua Church. To learn more about participating in Scouting, visit our Clarksville Scout Troop page at https://www.townofclarksville.com/scouts/. The Town of Clarksville serves as the Charter organization for Troop 4010.