Carbon County Career and Technical Institute students are hoping to “adopt” Jim Thorpe’s Kemmerer Park for future cleanup and upgrades, making it possible for future events to be held there.

Brent Borzak, CCTI principal, told Jim Thorpe Borough Council, the school was looking to take on a community project and begin a working relationship with the municipality that could carry into the future.

“February is Career and Technical Education month and we thought it would be a great time to get our students involved with helping out at Kemmerer Park,” Borzak said. “It would hopefully give the students a sense of what it means to be stewards of their community and stewards of the land. It would also give them an appreciation for the parks and other things the borough provides for its residents.”

Kemmerer Park was built on the former estate of Mahlon S. Kemmerer, who was a local leader in the coal industry.

The borough leases the land from the nonprofit Mahlon S. Kemmerer Memorial Center Inc.

Council voted 6-1 Thursday night to allow CCTI to “adopt” the park, contingent on approval from the Kemmerer Center board of directors.

Councilwoman Jessica Crowley cast the lone no vote, saying she would prefer the Kemmerer Center review the proposal and give the go ahead before moving forward.

“I appreciate the work the students are willing to do, but I think we should wait until that board looks at the information,” Crowley said.

The most recent event held in Kemmerer Park was the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation’s Krampus Festival in December. Last week, Chamber Executive Director Alice Wanamaker gave council a list of items the organization would like to see addressed at the park in order to make the park a feasible site for the festival in the future.

“We noticed a lot of safety concerns and upgrades that, if completed, could make sure not just our festival, but other events could take place in the park,” Wanamaker said. “The walkways are just not large or safe enough right now for wheelchairs, strollers or walkers to get through. Trash cans were broken and in disrepair. Retaining walls around the park could use upgrades. There are no guardrails or safety markers protecting the drop-off point in the park and the bandstand was full of pretty offensive graffiti.”

Council President Greg Strubinger said CCTI’s request to help out at the park comes at a perfect time and some of the items needing addressed could tie in to that relationship.

Borzak said he envisions CCTI students would help clean up the park as well as possibly do some painting or other minor projects.

“We have a great carpentry program and one of the things we’d also like to do is have our students make a bench to donate to the park,” he said.

Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said Bob Handwerk, the most recent borough liaison from the Kemmerer Center board, is aware of CCTI’s intent and was “very happy to hear about it.”

“Our vote was contingent on Kemmerer Center’s approval,” Strubinger said. “We felt they would be receptive to it, but if there is a roadblock, then it doesn’t happen. If that is the case, we would be more than happy to have a discussion with the students about adopting Memorial Park.”

If the park adoption moves forward, Borzak said he hopes CCTI students can start helping out in the spring.