Community members are sought for a newly created volunteer board in Lehighton.

Borough council is accepting letters of interest from borough residents who would like to serve on the new Parks and Recreation Board.Letters of interest will be accepted for the new seven-member volunteer board until Oct. 19.Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said members of the Lehighton 150th Anniversary Committee initially proposed the idea for the board after the borough’s sesquicentennial.“The momentum and community pride established during the 150th Anniversary Celebration demonstrated a clear need for more events in Lehighton,” Beckett said. “The community was ignited and excited for the events of the 150th, including the cemetery walk, trolley tours, music in the park, coaster race and fireworks, to name a few.”Council agreed to create the board to continue hosting events within the borough, noted Beckett, who said the board will serve in an advisory function to council and support community event planning and fundraisers.“The hope is the new board can create a positive image in the borough, and enhance the quality of life in the town,” she said. “The new Parks and Recreation Board will hold events and join in the efforts of bettering the community, with groups such as the Lehighton Downtown Initiative and Lehighton Pool Pals.”Beckett said the board will be responsible for providing recreational opportunities and establishing special events to promote the borough.“We are hoping to gain community interest in serving on the board,” she said. “There are no downfalls to creating the board — only positive steps forward to improving the borough.”Beckett added, “We want our community members to be proud of their parks and be able to enjoy events regularly. We want to be inviting to visitors of the borough.”“Our goal is to continue to progress, and link our new brand as a “trail town” to the newly renovated Colonel Jacob Weiss Park, the freshly painted Amphitheatre, the Grove, PFC Clyde Houser Building, Baer Memorial and our other community locations.”