BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — When Tropical Storm Helene blew through Western North Carolina in September 2024, the storm destroyed buildings, riverbanks and, in Black Mountain, River Walk Dog Park.
A year and a half later, Amanda Latta, 16, is contributing to the reconstruction of River Walk, one picnic table, flower bed and birdhouse at a time.
From dog park to Eagle Scout
Latta, a junior at Owen High School, grew up taking her dog to River Walk. When she was talking to dog owners in her community after Helene, she knew just where to send them.
“I saw so many people with dogs that were like, I wish we had a dog park, and I’m like, we do,” Latta recalled. “Then I went to take my dog there one day, and it was just kind of gone, after the hurricane.”
As an aspiring Eagle Scout with Scouting America Troop 4042, Latta knew exactly what she could do for her Eagle-qualifying community service project…