Fourteen-year old Tyler James “T.J.” Murray imagined he had all the bases covered to carry off his Eagle Scout project to refurbish the Conimicut Point overlook on Beach Avenue Saturday morning. The wooden structure and brick and cement walkway had been spray washed and the city Department of Public Works had checked out the structure, deeming it safe and providing the lumber to replace aging planks and railings.

He and eight members of Conimicut Troop 1, along with family members and friends, were ready to tackle the project. They had hand tools, power tools, stain, paint, and brushes and rollers.

Start time was 9 a.m.

But as T.J. and his crew started showing up, so did a number of formally attired adults, women in dresses and carrying bouquets and men wearing jackets and ties. It was a wedding party and they planned on holding a wedding at the overlook.

T.J. couldn’t believe it. He had posted the event on virtually every platform he could think of. It didn’t go unnoticed. Conimicut Village Association members knew what was happening as did the office of U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse as well as local elected officials and mayoral candidates Democrat Leah Hazelwood and independent Patrick Maloney. 

The wedding party wasn’t dressed to help and the work crew weren’t invited wedding guests.

T.J. was faced with the first unexpected challenge of this Eagle Scout project. It wasn’t the only one.

T.J. moved his crew from the overlook. The wedding was held on the overlook’s second platform and took about 15 minutes.  Finally, T.J. was ready to get started.

Then one of the people who had turned out to lend his support fell down the stairs leading to the walkway and seawall at the base of the overlook. T.J.  was prepared. He wanted someone present should there be an injury. His aunt, Crystal Hoon, is an EMT. She had traveled from New Hampshire for the event. Sen. Anthony DeLuca, a licensed EMT, was assessing the man’s condition almost immediately. He was quickly joined by Hoon. The rescue was called and the man was transported to the hospital. As of Monday, he was still being held for observation, reported T.J.’s mother, Meagan. 

But then a great deal went according to plan, even though T.J. hadn’t counted it would take more than an hour to paint the cap to the retainer wall blue. He had scheduled that project to take 15 minutes. Conditions were perfect: not too hot or cold and no wind. Dave’s Fresh Marketplace came through with pizza and there was plenty of cookies, water, donuts and other refreshments.

Crews tore out splintered planks and stairs as men cut boards to replace them. Scouts as well as their siblings and parents wielded brushes to take on the painstaking task of staining all four sides of railings and posts.

A ninth grader at Toll Gate where he is taking the exploratory program at the Career and Technical Center (T.J. is considering construction trades or engineering), T.J. initially thought of doing a neighborhood lending library as an Eagle project, but then the pandemic changed his mind. The Murray’s live on West Shore Road not far from Hoxsie Four Corners.  T.J. started riding his bike to Conimicut and the overlook. Sometimes he just took a breather looking out at the point and the distant lighthouse. Sometimes he would bring a book. It was a sanctuary.

The idea of fixing up the overlook came to him. It also seemed to fit with what he likes about scouting that has been a part of his life since being a member of Bottonwoods Pack 7. He likes being outside and he especially likes being in the woods. He’s thinking being a forester could be in his future.

Rep. Joseph Solomon Jr. lent his back to the project carrying lumber and piling scrap to be carried away by DPW. Maloney pitched in, too.  T.J. gave Whitehouse, who showed up after the wedding but looked dressed for the occasion wearing a jacket, a tour of the project. Whitehouse stayed for a good half hour.

T.J. was asked what was the greatest part of his project.

He didn’t say a thing, but waved his arm to encompass the many kids and adults on the overlook. Some were working, others were talking and a few were just taking in the view.