Erik Hansen Scout Park
Physical Location: 913 Mission Ave.
Amenities
- Park Benches with views
- "The Boy Scout" Statue
- Interpretive Displays
- Beautiful Landscaping
- Viewing Telescope
Description
Erik Hansen Scout Park is a small community park with the biggest and best views in Kenai. This is an ideal location to come to in July, relax and watch the madness of the dipnetters on the beach below. Interpretive displays point out many of the physical features of the surrounding area and beautiful landscape. This is a "must visit" park on your walk or drive through Old Town Kenai.
History
Erik Hansen Scout Park was the 1997 Eagle Scout project of Scout Chris Walker from Troop 357. All of Boy Scout Troop 357 worked together to help Chris bring this project to fruition. The property was donated by long time Scout Leader Dr. Peter O. Hansen and his wife Karolee in honor of their son Erik Hanson (also a member of Troop 357), who lost his life too early. Erik became an Eagle Scout in 1982. In honor of all Scouts, this park's shinning star is a replica of "The Boy Scout" statue created by Canadian sculptor R. Tait McKenzie in 1911 and presented to the Philadelphia Council. McKenzie stated:
"He trusts that his uncovered head may betoken them to reverence, obedience to proper authority, the well-ordered discipline so necessary to our well-being as a nation; that the hatchet, on which his hand rests, may serve as a symbol of truthfulness that characterized him who first sat in the chair of state in this the birthplace of national freedom in America; that he may never unsheathe it for grinding purposes; that he may never raise it in the cause of wanton destruction, but always for the defense of the weak and for hewing out new and nobler standards of conduct and progress; that he may apply it unceasingly to the neck of treachery, treason, cowardice, discourtesy, dishonesty and dirt."
We invite you to enjoy this park in honor of all Scouts.
Thirty minute parking is enforced during the month of July and overnight camping is prohibited.
