Borough of Lehighton Dedicates Upper Park

Lehighton’s Upper Park reopened Sunday, November 7th with significant upgrades that Barry Isett & Associates grant writers, landscape architects, engineers, and construction administration helped deliver. The project at this Carbon County outdoor amphitheater focused on providing universal accessibility, adding LED lighting, renovating the walks and amphitheater, and improving stormwater management. The project continues the work Isett completed for the borough when upgrading the Lower Park, a few years prior.

“The challenge was preserving the character of the park yet providing for needed upgrades,” Bryan Smith, head of Isett’s Landscape Architecture Department, told the crowd gathered for Sunday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Smith shared examples. A ramp to the stage required detailed design to meet mandated government standards such as proper slope. New lighting is more energy efficient but replicates a historic look. Blue stone pavers installed in the upper walk enhance the nostalgic feel of the park.

“We hope the borough residents will enjoy this park for generations to come and we are honored to now be part of the park’s history,” Smith said.

Isett joined borough councilors; borough staff; representatives from Governor Wolf’s and Congressman Dan Meuser’s offices; and borough residents at this sunny warm November event. The project construction was jointly completed by contractor Cobalt Construction of Pocono Summit and the borough’s Light & Power and Public Works departments, according to reporting by The Times-News of Lehighton.

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

Photos below courtesy of James Gallucci