Eagle Scout project brings accessibility to Lake Tomahawk
Burkley Reece designs and builds fishing pier to accommodate wheelchairs
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 7, 2026
Burkley Reece constructs a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier at Lake Tomahawk, Oct. 6, as he nears the completion of his Eagle Scout Service Project. Photo by Fred McCormick
At least two things about Burkley Reece have been true for nearly his entire life: he enjoys fishing and aspires to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
Those longtime interests converged on the northern edge of Lake Tomahawk, Oct. 6, where he worked with a team of volunteer Boy Scouts, family and supporters, to construct a fishing pier that will allow access for visitors in wheelchairs.
The 24-by-10-foot structure, to be completed, Oct. 7, was something he first considered approximately four years ago.
“I’ve been fishing my whole life, and this project is something I’ve thought about for a while,” said Reece, a member of Troop 17, out of Riceville. “I thought this was the perfect time to commit to building it. I was told there was a fishing pier here in the past, and every I come to this lake I think it would be really cool to have one here now.”
The idea to build a structure accessible by wheelchair sounded simple, but the process was lengthy, according to Eagle Scout Service Project Coach Daniel Little.
“Once he had the idea, he started the write-up process, which is long and in-depth,” the coach said. “He had to research the materials he would need, labor, cost and even permits and variances through the town.”
Reece, a student of Owen High School, planned the project, which was supported with a donation of lumber from Henson Building Materials and engineering services from Ryan Summey of Palmetto Structure Engineering, for approximately 15 months before construction began, Oct. 4. More than 200 hours of combined labor was donated by Troop 17.
“He wouldn’t have been able to get this done without Henson and (Summey), and the members of the troop,” said Troop 17 Scoutmaster Danny Little, son of the Eagle Scout Service Project Coach. “Even with all that support, Burkley has done an amazing job planning and building this pier.”
Burkley Reece, surrounded by scouts from Troop 17, of Riceville, family and supporters, builds a fishing pier on Lake Tomahawk that offers access for wheelchairs. Photo by Fred McCormick
Service projects are designed to allow prospective Eagle Scouts to demonstrate leadership in a manner that benefits the community. Reece leveraged the opportunity to create a spacious deck with a direct view of the mountains to the south, including lowered rails in designated areas to allow casting from a seated position.
The use of a pneumatic pile driver allowed pilings to be installed without draining the lake, following a plan last summer that required water levels to lowered.
“The town had the lake drained, and we were ready to start work that following Saturday,” Daniel said. “But, they had to fill it back up because the golf course greens were dying. So, that was a setback for sure, but Burkley stuck with it.”
The scout credits his family, fellow scouts and their families with making the project a reality.
“I’m ready to get it done,” he said. “I want this to be a place where kids can bring their grandparents to fish, and have an easier time being by the water.”
The pier, which represents a major step in Reece’s lifelong goal of becoming an Eagle Scout, represents the determination, leadership and service-minded attitude of its creator, according to his coach.
“Even with the setback of the lake being drained, he persevered,” Daniel said. “He kept his focus on ways to overcome obstacles, and his willingness to find solutions turned out to be a great gift to the community.”