Planning an Eagle Scout project isn’t a walk in a park. In Freemin Bauer’s case, it’s more a walk down the road.

The Mattapoisett Scout held the Dog Walk-A-Thon on Saturday morning to raise money for the Fairhaven Animal Shelter, though he’d originally thought about creating a dog park in town.

“I couldn’t find room, so I started thinking of a dog walk, and then I started to stick with it,” he said.

Bauer, 17, calls himself a “big dog fan” and has two canines of his own. He’s also been a Boy Scout for around a decade, so it was a natural progression for him to work on his Eagle Scout badge.

“I’ve been thinking along the way while helping other Eagle Scouts on their projects. That’s when I got the idea of helping out animals,” he said.

Staying with scouting for so many years has kept Bauer active and taken him outdoors.

“It kept you from sinking into society,” he said. “It takes you away from the cities or towns, and it brings you into the wilderness and teaches you how to survive. I kind of like that stuff. You never know what will happen.”

Bauer certainly learned a few things while planning the parade through Mattapoisett Village. He spoke to the Selectmen, procured sponsors for T-shirts and worked with Bob Field of Field Engineering to make a map of the two courses – one a half-mile, the other about a mile.

The Old Rochester Regional junior tried to cover all his bases, including the problem of poop. He got poop bags that were handed out to each pet owner at registration. He also said he would inspect the route after the dogs had done their business.

“I hope I don’t have to pick any up,” he admitted.

His mother, Jodi Bauer, said the experience was a lot of work but, “I was happy he wanted to do this.”

She said her son would still like to see a dog park in Mattapoisett and may hold the walk again next year to work toward that goal.

Dogs and their owners seemed to enjoy the stroll through town, most of them anyway.

A few blocks in, Bill Mitchell’s beagle Baxter stopped near a watering station and was content to lounge on the sidewalk as others passed.

As Mitchell tried to coax his “stubborn beagle” to get up, he said, “I think it’s a great idea to help the animal rescue endeavor.”

After one loop, Tim Watterson’s Boston terrier Archie was also ready for a rest.

“He had a good time,” Watterson said. “He went on the big dog walk because he thinks he’s a big dog.”

Maureen O’Neill, walking with her Aussie doodle Henry, praised Freemin’s project.

“The is what Mattapoisett’s all about.”