By EMMA BARTLETT

If you’ve visited Cranston’s YMCA playground lately, you may have noticed the newly painted blacktop games have a Toy Story theme to them. Cranston West senior Andrew Garcia, 17, recently repainted the games for children as part of his Eagle Scout project.

When Andrew, a member of Troop 66, started considering his project, he knew he wanted it to be art related. After noticing the blacktop games on the YMCA’s playground were faded and kids weren’t using them, he approached the organization with his idea and they immediately jumped on board.

Andrew received full creative control for the project and settled on a Toy Story theme since it was his favorite movie as a kid. With the help of other troop members, he repainted two four square games (one that was painted in the colors of Buzz Lightyear’s space suit and the other which used the colors of Woody’s plaid shirt and blue jeans), a hopscotch (which implemented different characters from the movie) and a wooden garbage enclosure (which reflected Andy’s blue wallpaper with clouds on it).

Andrew used Procreate to create the designs on his iPad, which took several hours. He said the idea for the garbage enclosure came easily to him, and since there were two four square games he knew he wanted those games to reflect the film’s two biggest characters: Buzz and Woody. Andrew said the hopscotch design was the toughest to come up with.

Overall, Andrew’s favorite part of the project was seeing his idea become a reality.

“I always draw stuff and have ideas and it never comes to fruition,” Andrew said, mentioning how the volunteers who helped him complete the project on May 14 were engaged in the painting process and excited to paint the Toy Story themed games.

In addition to repainting the blacktop games, Andrew and other members of his troop sanded the wooden garbage enclosure and four playground picnic tables that were in rough condition.

Andrew said the adult leaders have been kind and supportive. He thanks his parents – Ed and Denice – for their help and the adult leaders Ricky Alviti, Jeff Goldthwait, Jan Zukowski and Rachel Marchetti. After completing his project and moving on to finish final paperwork, Andrew will go before the Narragansett Council this summer.

Andrew started cub scouts at age 7 and has been a boy scout for the last 11 years.

“My favorite part has been the relationships and the time being able to spend with people I’ve grown fond of,” said Andrew, noting his friend Stephan and twin brother Eric who is an Eagle Scout.

In September, Andrew will attend the University of Rhode Island where he will pursue a degree in fine arts. His dream job is to be a storyboard artist for Disney, but is also content with designing art that makes people happy.