Imagine with me if you will that it's 25 years into the future. Since I'm a bit more chronologically challenged and less maneuverable in the future, I'm sitting in a comfortable camp chair -- one that is easier to get myself back out of. Even though my wife is only a year younger than I am, she doesn't seem to have any problems getting herself in and out of chairs like I do. I'm sure it must have been all of that running up and down the stairs fixing sandwiches and cuts and bruises while the kids were still young. While I'm here under the shade a large tree, she's on the sideline yelling out positive reinforcements. Even though we're here to watch our grandson play soccer, she still knows the names of every player on the team. There is a small clump of trees near the field and my job is to sit here in the shade with the half-time snacks. I have strict instructions:

"Grandpa, don't do anything to embarrass me."

This was reinforced by my wife.

"Sit here with the snacks and don't embarrass me."

So here I am, sitting, watching and reflecting.

Tooele City finally finished the last phase of England Acres Park two years ago and it's really been nice to have the last of the weeds replaced with trees and grass. My wife and I will occasionally come down to walk around the park. With the spring runoff there is a small stream of water that trickles down Devil's Ditch toward 10th North. The city tried to rename the stream, but like the town of Lincoln, the name will never stick, it's still Devil's Ditch.

It's never a good idea to walk around the park on an empty stomach. The smell of summer barbecue drifts through the air like the sirens song. I've always enjoyed a hunk of grilled meat basted with a savory sauce. Walking through the park on an empty stomach simply leaves a shipwreck in my stomach.

The west side of the park has really matured over the last 20 years. The trees cast a long shadow from the evening sun. They reach out covering the sideline and almost grabbing the feet of the young players. Aside from the soccer game, I'm drawn here for another reason. Flashback to 2008.

It's kind of difficult to get and keep the attention of a group of 8- to 10-year-old boys anyway, but when you have a Cub Scout pack meeting at the park, next to a playground, you're bound to lose focus. There was only one more day of school left and the evening weather was fantastic. It was finally warm enough that you didn't need anything to cover your arms, yet cool enough that you wouldn't break a sweat as you ran around the playground. Members of Pack 4513 had a few of the usual awards, followed by a cheesy and fun cheer related to the monthly theme "Leaf it to Cubs." Spencer even got to wear the honorary wolf-head hat as he was presented his Wolf Badge. Next time Spencer, you need to give your mom a kiss after you poke her with the pin.

Having a pack meeting at England Acres was a welcome change from the usual indoor experience, but there was a reason why the boys were there. Following the puppet show and awards, each boy was able to pull themselves away from the playground and take turns digging. Tooele City had recently planted a group of trees between the pavilion and the soccer field. Having made arrangements with Tooele City Parks Department, there was one tree left to be planted. With shovels in hand, Pack 4513 dug a hole. Fortunately for the boys, the soil at England Acres is nothing like the river bed I have in my yard. Although they did find clay, it was moist enough for easy digging. Tooele City could have planted the tree in a fraction of the time, and I'm sure it would have been a bit straighter as well. But even though it was just one tree, this tree provided a sense of belonging; a connection for the boys to the park and to their community. This was an opportunity to do something small that will have an impact for years to come. I'm sure that in another 25 years or so I may still find myself reaping the benefit planted by Pack 4513.