James Maltbie, top, is seen constructing the swing sets.

While 17-year-olds are more likely to be found at an amusement park, James Maltbie has been spending hours at a playground. Designing and helping to build it, actually.

“I was inspired to create this because I have always loved swing sets and playgrounds, and I believed that if there were younger kids there, they should have a place to enjoy themselves in that location,” says Maltbie about the recently completed structure at the Blossom Garden Friends Peace and Education Center, formerly a quaker church located at 13961 Sisson Highway in the town of Collins.

Maltbie, a member of Scout Troop 276, used the project to help him achieve Eagle Scout rank.

“The actual planning process only took about 12 hours as I found a set I liked online and printed the material list and steps to build it,” says the recent graduate of Pine Valley Central School in South Dayton. “Construction took about 18 hours over the span of a few days, costing just under $1,800 for all of the lumber and hardware after receiving a donation of $200 of hardware from Lowe’s Home Improvement. That other $1,800 was covered by generous donors in the community and family friends.”

The playground is a medium sized construction with a pair of swings and a glider, and includes two elevated platforms with a slide, rock wall, and ladder on each platform. Before the playground was there, it was an open field between the building and road, with some trees and a sign before the road.

“We at the Blossom Garden Peace and Education Center are very grateful to James for his enduring and joyous contribution to our children and community programs,” says Janice Ninan, co-director of the Center. The playground adds to the variety of programs offered by the Center including shipping books and educational materials to schools in need; a community garden; providing assistance in navigating social services; counseling; support group; tutoring and early education opportunities.

Maltibie, the son of Virginia and Howard Maltbie of Silver Creek, plans to study mechanical engineering at JCC this Fall.