At Cherokee Bluffs Park in Flowery Branch, trailgoers may not realize the heart, effort, and engineering behind one of the Hall County park’s newest features — a hand-built bridge created by Eagle Scout candidate Max Hurd.
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“Max, a senior at Mill Creek High School in Gwinnett County, is used to pushing through challenges. As a member of his school’s mountain bike team and a regular on the trails at Cherokee Bluffs, he knew firsthand the beauty of the park, and the need for structures that could serve the community for years to come. When it came time to choose his Eagle Scout project, Max wanted to be ambitious. “I wanted one of the biggish projects,” he said, inspired by the impressive work of fellow Scouts in his troop.
Drawing on three years of engineering classes, where he had studied bridge design, Max decided to take on the task of relocating and redesigning a bridge. His vision? To place the new bridge on a better alignment that would ensure its reliability and strength for the long term. Using CAD software, he created a plan that blended engineering know-how with the real needs of trail users.
“The most enjoyable part was taking the old bridge apart and then watching the new one come together piece by piece,” Max explained.
The process was not an easy one. Unexpected challenges, such as rugged terrain, the need for extra support structures, and working with concrete in a natural setting — including water where you do not want it — did occur. Max pressed on, never backing down from the persistence the project demanded…
For Max, the bridge is more than just wood and bolts. It symbolizes planning, perseverance, and leadership. “I saw a need, designed the solution, and led the build,” he said.
“I had a lofty goal, and now I’m standing on it. A bridge that’s strong, solid, and finished.”
His advice to younger Scouts? Don’t wait. “It feels like you want to do something else, but finishing is the best.”’