Eagle Scout chooses Lindenhurst Park District for project

When Tim Henderson pondered his Eagle Scout project, he knew it wouldn't involve hammers and nails.

As a budding artist, the Lakes Community High School junior wanted to be more creative.

Henderson is pursuing his Eagle rank by painting a sports-themed mural on the wall of the Lindenhurst Park District Community Center.

Henderson said he wanted to think out of the ordinary with his project.

"It's really common for Scouts to build a bench or picnic table or something like that," Henderson said. "I'm an artist and wanted to do something really different. So I thought the mural would be interesting."

Growing up in Lindenhurst, Henderson wanted to create something that reflected recreational life in town. He approached park district Director Tom Lippert with the idea last November. Lippert said Henderson made a great pitch for his idea.

"He attended our park board meeting and explained his plan," Lippert said. "We were delighted and decided the mural should be painted in a part of the building where most people will see it."

Using acrylic paint directly on the brick wall, Henderson's piece is 15 feet high at the tallest point and features brightly colored figures. One plays volleyball; others play basketball and practice and martial arts. Henderson estimates he's spent about 25 hours painting the piece. And as Lindenhurst is the "Daffodil Capital of Illinois," he included a figure tending to the yellow flowers.

Henderson also incorporated the park district slogan, "Creating community through people, parks and programs." That was a selling point for Lippert.

"These are themes people can relate to," Lippert said. "His attention to detail is great, right down to using the park district colors for the volleyball jersey."

As a member of Antioch Boy Scout Troop 190, Henderson has been in scouting since he was 6 years old. The 17-year-old is a junior at Lakes Community High School in Lake Villa.

Of all the fine art forms, Henderson like impressionism most. "It really flows," he said. "I do all kinds of art but really like painting best. I'll draw in pencil, too."

Lippert said they plan to install some track lighting that will highlight the piece and also install a small plaque with Henderson's name on it.

"It really brightens the place up," Lippert said. "We just love it."