TTC Captain: Pearson Bruhns
Pearson Bruhns, a senior at Radnor High School and member of the Delco Revolution team, has turned his love for biking and trail work into a meaningful contribution to his community. Inspired by his experiences in PICL and Boy Scouts, Pearson combined both passions for his Eagle Scout project: installing a bike repair station at Smedley Park in Delaware County. The station, which now helps riders fix their bikes and keep enjoying the trails, reflects his commitment to improving local parks for everyone.
“It feels good knowing I’m helping people, even when I’m not there.”
The project was no small feat. Pearson navigated a detailed process that included getting approvals from the Smedley Park Board, Delaware County Parks and Rec, and his Eagle Scout review board. He also fundraised, ordered materials, and coordinated the installation, which included pouring a concrete slab and adding water bars to the trails. With help from his coach, Kurt Morris, and support from teammates and community members, the project came together in a day of hard work and collaboration — complete with additional trail cleanup.
Pearson learned that leading a large project required more than just physical effort. Managing volunteers, securing permissions, and ensuring safety all added complexity he hadn’t anticipated. Fortunately, knowing many of the volunteers personally made it easier to assign tasks based on their strengths and keep everyone engaged. His ability to organize people and resources ensured the project ran smoothly and left the park better than before.
“It might feel overwhelming at first, but breaking it into steps makes it achievable — and the self-satisfaction at the end is worth it.”
For Pearson, the greatest reward has been seeing riders use the repair station and hearing their gratitude. To other PICL student-athletes considering a TTC Captain Project, he advises starting small, leaning on coaches and mentors, and finding inspiration from other trail systems.