Boy Scout Plants Distance Markers on Lake Conine Trail

Max Zellers, a Lake Wales Senior High School cross-country runner, installed distance markers along the 0.9-mile trail at Lake Conine Nature Park in April as his Eagle Scout project.

Zellers placed markers at quarter-mile intervals on April 18 to help runners and walkers track their pace. He spent four months planning the project, using a measurement wheel and walking the trail multiple times to confirm accuracy.

The idea came after Zellers forgot his watch during cross-country practice and couldn't gauge his distance. He modeled the markers after similar ones at Lake Wailes Park.

The City of Winter Haven supported the project through Parks & Grounds Superintendent Steve Pruitt and Senior Environmental Scientist Devon Moore, who selected the site and purchased the medallions and wooden posts. Zellers coordinated volunteers from family, friends and Boy Scout Troop 515 to install them.

Lake Conine Nature Park offers a shaded picnic pavilion, playground, fishing pier and dock, and kayak launch. The trail and park are free and open to the public.