Visitors to Langley Woodmen Cemetery now have some comfortable seats on which to sit and contemplate, thanks to Jason Neil of Langley.

Neil, 17, a South Whidbey High School junior and a member of South Whidbey Boy Scout Troop 57, designed and built five stylish benches and placed them around the cemetery.

The project was to fulfill part of his community-service requirement to achieve the rank of Eagle, Scouting’s highest honor.

“The benches came out really nice,” Neil said. “I think people will use them.”

The project, which altogether took about eight months to complete, was launched at the suggestion of Mayor Paul Samuelson, who has helped other local Scouts with projects that ultimately benefit the city, too.

Neil’s project began this past September, when he and his father and Scoutmaster at the time, Donald Neil, made a presentation to the Langley Woodmen Cemetery Board, which approved the proposal.

Next stop was the city’s Design Review Board, which also signed off on the project as one that would fit the city’s requirements and enhance its image.

Jason Neil collected donated hardware and surplus materials from his family’s deck project, and other materials donated by Hanson’s Building Supply in Bayview, and set to work.

The result: five rectangular benches made of a composite of recycled plastic and rice husks for the seat, and pressure-treated supports, all easily cleaned, essential in a wooded environment.

The benches were put in place at the cemetery this past weekend during a work party sponsored by Friends of Woodmen Cemetery. A 5-foot bench was placed in the Ash Garden, and four 4-foot benches in other restful locations.

“We are very grateful for all of his hard work, and are thrilled with the beautiful benches,” said Marilyn Strong, president of the cemetery board. “They will be enjoyed by the South Whidbey community for many years to come.”

Candidates for Scouting’s Eagle rank must be younger than 18, and must have served in a leadership position for six months while earning at least 21 merit badges.

Jason Neil, who has been involved in Scouting since the first grade, said he has acquired 36 merit badges so far. Scouting offers the opportunity to earn more than 150 badges, representing a variety of skills and activities.

His next step is to go before his troop’s Eagle Scout board, then before the Island District Board in Oak Harbor, which he hopes will recommend him to the National Board of Eagle Scouts.

He said he hopes to be awarded the Eagle rank later this month. Then he plans to pursue a series of Eagle Palm awards, steps that allow Eagle Scouts who remain in Scouting to have something else to work toward.

Neil said he’s happy with the way the benches turned out, and that he hopes the city enjoys his project.

“But I’m glad it’s over,” he said.