On Saturday morning the new park along Route 903 in Penn Forest Township was bustling with soccer players from the Jim Thorpe Rotary Youth Soccer Association.

The soccer club is one of the area sports clubs that is able to utilize the new park since the initial phase only included a playground, parking, fields of grass and a walking trail.At 10 a.m. Jerry Enck, a maintenance person from the township, unveiled the sign and officially opened the park to the public.The sign unveiling was followed by a ceremonial ribbon cutting during which township Supervisor Christine Fazio was assisted by a number of local children and many of the soccer players.The second phase of the park was put on hold in July of this year.“We anticipate going out for bid again in the beginning of the new year,” Supervisor’s Chairman Warren Reiner told those present. “The last go around, only one contractor bid and the bid was too high. We will look to trim a bit off the plans, but we are hoping that more people will bid and give us a better price.”Supervisors hope Phase II of the park will include facilities for sports like basketball, tennis, baseball and football. The bid received in July was for $2,144,893 and was rejected as being too costly at the time.“I know that we would like to obtain grants for the remainder, but let’s face it, I’m not sure I see that happening,” said Supervisor Phil Shedaker. “The state doesn’t even have a budget, much less money for grants.”Shedaker said the township will have to eventually kick in the funds to complete the park, but he also believes that the park will be able to earn enough income to sustain itself.“I know it’s not the popular view,” Shedaker said. “But the money is there and we can allocate it for capital projects.”Several members of the recreation committee were on hand for the ceremony.“I have no doubt that the park can sustain itself when we are able to bring in basketball or little league tournaments,” said Richard Stack, a member of the recreation committee.“We have a large influx of people from places like Bucks County,” said member Jennifer Bevilacqua. “The parks they are used to, are places where people go to listen to music and they play movies under the stars in the summer. These are all things that we can look forward to in the years to come.”Committeeman Fredrick Tweed has expressed his concern with the design of the park being handicap friendly.Tweed said the future design should take into consideration how far fields are located from the nearest parking area for those who would like to attend events, but might not be able to walk great distances.The recreation committee meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of every month at the township building.