DAPHNE, Ala. — One Boy Scout in Troop 87 is closer than ever to achieving his dream of being an Eagle Scout — and all it’ll take is a little manual labor.

Ben Flores, 15, on Friday began removing unwanted items from Village Point Park Preserve, with the help of his father, Mario. They found an assortment of items that belong in homes and garages, not forests and parks.

“You should see the pile. Some of it’s big refrigerators … that’s a lot of work,” Selena Vaughn, Village Point board member, said.

Ben and his father were modest about their efforts.

“They (the refrigerators) weren’t that heavy, they were just bulky,” Mario said.

Ben also found some smaller items that littered the forest floor.

“We found a sneaker back there!” he said. “… bottles, toys, buoys, gas cans, lumber.

“We even found two recycling bins — that was hilarious to me.”

The items are among many that likely washed ashore during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, according to Vaughn.

The cleanup project will fulfill part of Ben’s requirements to reach the Eagle Scout position — the highest scout rank.

Of 120 merit badges available, 21 must be earned to qualify for Eagle Scout, according to the organization’s Web site. Required badges include First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Environmental Science, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Camping, and Family Life. Scouts have a choice between Emergency Preparedness and Lifesaving and a choice among Cycling, Hiking, and Swimming.

Ben’s Eagle Scout project requires 100 completed service hours, Mario said, adding that Al Guarisco, Village Point chairman, approved the cleanup effort.

Mario and Ben worked together on Friday; other scouts helped on Saturday. The aides are allowed, Mario said.

Vaughn was glad to see the park get some much needed attention.

“I am just impressed with the physical fortitude of this project,” she said in an e-mail.