Lehighton plans to get new benches for its upper park through a capital campaign project.

Borough council unanimously agreed on Monday to approve the fundraising initiative by the borough’s Parks & Recreation Board.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky, who serves as secretary of the board, said the number one complaint she gets is that people are uncomfortable sitting on the existing benches in the amphitheater.

Abelovsky said the amphitheater is used by a lot of groups for various events.

“We think the new seating is necessary,” Abelovsky said.

Abelovsky suggested that the borough do a fundraiser and include it as an insert in either January or February’s borough bill.

She said the park currently holds 40 benches, and that the cost for a new bench would be about $1,000 each, or a total of $40,000.

Abelovsky said they have received a matching donation of $20,000, meaning they would only need to raise $20,000.

The board will accept donations from $10 to $1,000 or more to the park bench capital campaign.

Abelovsky said that if a donation will cover the cost of the entire project, plaques would be considered.

There has been no discussion on the future of the existing benches in the amphitheater.

The park is used for concerts, movies, and other community events.

The borough previously received funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for improvements to the park.

Funding in the amount of $150,000 was received from the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program for improvements to the Upper Park Amphitheater, as well as $200,000 from the Multimodal Transportation Funds for streetscape and pedestrian improvements to the streets around the upper park.

Planned improvements include new park lighting, sidewalks, ADA accessibility, stormwater improvements and pedestrian improvements consistent with the lower park.