“Big chair” built by local Eagle Scout designed to bring visitors to Scudder Park for a seat with a view

Scudder Park has a playful new addition to its beach area, and a great place to sit and enjoy the view.

The “Northport Big Chair,” an oversized Adirondack-like chair measuring four feet wide and six feet tall, was recently built and donated to the Village by Northport resident Thomas Serra, as part of his Eagle Scout project.

The chair, just east of the main parking lot, looks into Northport Harbor and is certain to be a great vantage point to take photographs from, or be photographed in (prepare for photos of the chair – and the people sitting in it – to flood your social media feeds soon).

Thomas, of Troop 474 East Northport, said he gained inspiration for his project after visiting another big chair made by an Eagle Scout in Port Jefferson. “I thought it was something fun, I saw other people on it, and saw that it would draw attention,” he said.

He envisions the chair as a place for community members to meet up, take a moment and appreciate their surroundings. “It’s somewhere people can gather and it’s just a beautiful spot to look out over the harbor,” he said.

Thomas credits troop master Dave Herbert and Eagle coordinator Dave Hunt for helping him get the project off the ground, and Crab Meadow resident Peter Kuhn for guiding him through the physical labor.

The former owner of St. James Lumber Corp., Peter opened up his home so that Thomas could have a space – and the tools – to complete his project. Thomas built the chair in Peter’s garage, asking for tips when necessary. “He’s a craftsman,” said Thomas. “I had all my plans laid out and he showed me how to put it together. He just gave his advice on how to do it, and it worked out perfectly.”

The project consisted of a lot of paperwork too, said Thomas, including a formal proposal submitted to the Village board, an action plan with step-by-step directions on how to complete the chair, and a project report, written post-project, about the experience and what he learned.

At a dedication held at Scudder Park yesterday, July 27 (just two days shy of Thomas’ 18th birthday), Village Trustee Dave Weber commended Thomas for the dedication he has put into Scouting. “It is definitely an asset for the Village to have someone that is so caring and committed to service,” he said. Trustee Weber took over the handling of Thomas’ project when former trustee Mercy Smith resigned from her position on the board in May. Mercy, who attended the dedication, was grateful to both Trustee Weber for taking over the project, and Thomas, for sticking the process out over the pandemic.

“I think one of the coolest things about this is that during the pandemic, when Thomas came and said ‘You know, I have this idea,’ we had a shortage of fun and whimsical things going on,” she said. This type of project, Mercy added, will inspire folks to come, sit and find that fun again.

Mercy acknowledged Robert and Krista Serra as well, parents to Thomas, Sofia and older brother Nicholas, who earned his Eagle Scout badge in 2019.

“It’s very rare that parents produce two Eagle Scouts in a short period of time and I feel truly blessed to have been a part of both Nick’s ceremony and working with Thomas to make this happen,” she said.

Thomas will be attending Virginia Tech College of Engineering this fall, where he is looking to get involved in the civil or construction engineering field.