A study commissioned by the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission on the feasibility of constructing a Lehigh and New England Rail Trail to the south of Tamaqua gave a green light to the project.

The almost 3-mile trail will stretch from Tamaqua to south Tamaqua, parallel to Route 309. Construction is expected to begin in the spring.Funding is being provided by the ESRC, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Tamaqua Area 2004 Partnership.