Gloucester Teen Completes Eagle Scout Project at Tompson Street Reservation

This past July, Rafael Jabba, a recent graduate of Gloucester High School, completed a community service project at Tompson Street Reservation as he pursues the rank of Eagle Scout — the highest honor in Scouting America.

Working in collaboration with Owen Hardy and other members of Greenbelt’s Stewardship team, Rafael helped install 12 new trail intersection signposts throughout the vast Gloucester property, sometimes joined by fellow troop members and family.

“I chose this project because I enjoy the outdoors and wanted to do something focused on improving green spaces or restoring trails,” says Rafael, a lifelong Gloucester resident. “Greenbelt was the first organization I thought of, so I reached out and connected with Owen. This project was one of the options he suggested.”

With more than 10 miles of trails, Tompson Street Reservation is a favorite among hikers and mountain bikers. The 338-acre property is known for its rugged terrain and varied scenery, including hardwood forests, granite outcroppings, vernal ponds, and a striking 120-foot boardwalk that traverses a vibrant red maple swamp. 

“We’ve been engaged in an ongoing project at Tompson Street Reservation to improve the trails and wayfinding, and thanks to Rafael and his crew, we were able to make even more progress,” says Owen. “We really appreciated their hard work and all the extra help.”

In total, Rafael says the project took approximately nine hours to complete, spread over three workdays. His role was focused primarily on planning, transporting supplies (sometimes deep into the property), and installing signposts. 

Along the way, he also gained a better understanding of land conservation, he says, and developed valuable leadership skills that will serve him well as he begins studying mechanical engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology this fall.