Over a dozen native trees have been added to a beautification project in Lehighton.

Natural Lands, Audubon Mid-Atlantic, Parkland Nurseries LLC and the borough’s Public Works Department all contributed toward the Stanley Hoffman Boulevard reconstruction and beautification project.

Borough Manager Dane DeWire that said that a total of 14 trees were planted, and added the project is just one of many things in the works to create a brighter, more walkable downtown for borough residents and visitors.

DeWire said the trees were donated by Parkland Nurseries, and noted the money came from Natural Lands and Audubon Mid-Atlantic Societies.

“They had learned about our parking lot reconstruction plan and our goal to make the area more walkable for pedestrians, and they jumped on board,” DeWire said. “This past Monday is when all the trees and shrubs were planted.”

DeWire noted that the parking lot was paved with 2023 Community Development Block Grant money, and added they were able to get the neighbor, Lyle Augustine, to have his lot done at the same time.

He said that the Lehighton Public Works Department previously dug trenches for the trees and had top soil installed in October.

DeWire said there were seven shadbush, five redbud, and two black gum trees planted, as well as 19 shrubs along the north end of the property dividing it from the neighbor’s driveway.

He said All R Services on Gypsy Hill Road provided the top soil for the trees; Jeff Solt, of Solts Services LLC provided the grass seed; Wayne Horn provided the line striping, which includes a public easement through Augustine’s parking lot; and Lehigh Asphalt provided the blacktop.

“The ultimate goal of the project is to first and foremost, provide our residents more public parking, but also to provide visitors a place to park when they access the D&L Trail, and when they want to access the businesses on First Street,” DeWire said.