A ceremony was held Sunday afternoon to officially dedicate the newly renovated upper park in Lehighton. Barry Isett and Associates, along with the contractor, Cobalt Construction of Pocono Summit, along with the Lehighton Borough’s Light & Power Department and the Public Works Department, renovated the park with new concrete work for the amphitheater seating area, new pavers for the walking paths, new electric and new lighting.

“Today we are here to recognize the project,” Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said, “and the partnerships necessary to complete this undertaking. This project involved years of planning and numerous funding resources. Funding is from the commonwealth, allocations by the Lehighton Borough Council, along with the community made this project a reality.”

Autumn Abelovsky, a member of the borough council and the Parks and Recreation Board, thanked those who made donations to the project.

“On behalf of the Parks and Recreation Board, we are so very pleased with the overwhelming response to our campaign in raising funds to purchase the new benches that you see around you,” Abelovsky said. “The generous donations of our residents, organizations and businesses, along with substantial donations from a local family to cover all additional costs, we were successful in filling the amphitheater with ample seating for our community.”

The progress in Lehighton’s revitalization can be seen from many angles,” Abelovsky said, “but I must reiterate that the outreach and the commitment to the betterment and the rejuvenation of our community is based upon and fueled by the spirit of all of you.”

Brian Smith, Landscape Architect and representative of Barry Isett and Associates, thanked everyone for their work.

“We hope the borough residents really enjoy the park for generations to come, and we are honored to have been part of that history.”

Thomas Caffrey, Northeast Regional Director from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office, offered his thoughts.

“Congratulations to everyone who has worked in this community to make these projects successful. A mission of the governor’s administration and through the Departments of Economic Development and through the Department of Education and across the board is to help create communities that are thriving throughout the state; and, it’s understood, and I’m sure everyone here can speak to it, that works starts at the ground level, and the state is only able to provide assistance to those communities that are willing to put that work in.”

Timm Berger, district manager for state Rep. Doyle Heffley, also addressed the crowd.

“Thanks to borough council, Nicole Beckett, and all the borough employees that they’ve done to make these parks, the upper and lower, beautiful again with the revitalization. Rep. Doyle Heffley and Sen. John Yudichak are always joyous to bring funds back to the area and revitalize and rehab areas in need. We look forward to working with new projects in the Lehighton Borough and surrounding communities, and we offer a big thank you to everyone.”

Lehighton Mayor Clark Ritter offered the benediction, and borough Manager Beckett made the official dedication.

The Belle Tones sang the national anthem and “God Bless America” and later performed a concert in the amphitheater.