The removal of trees in Lehighton's downtown park has caused a bit of a stir within the community.

Borough manager Nicole Beckett said nine trees have been cut down because of damaged condition."There were safety concerns with falling branches and debris," Beckett said. "Now was the opportunity to remove the trees before the other improvements were started."In their place, 18 new trees will be planted. Shrubs, bushes and flowers are also included in the landscape project.One resident questioned the removal of the trees on the Times News Facebook page."There is a family who is upset that they cut down a tree they planted and dedicated to their parents," Theresa Chapman said. "No notice to them; just removed the plaque and did it."Mark Hoffman, chairman of the Lehighton Shade Tree Commission, said the organization has been working closely with the borough to plant 150 trees in honor of the borough turning 150 years old next year."Although the revitalization of the park is a separate initiative from the Shade Tree initiative, the Shade Tree (commission) is very engaged with the park project, and supports the replacement of the older maple trees by the borough," Hoffman said. "They are anxiously waiting for the new trees and shrubs to be planted, recognizing the new and fresh look it will bring to the park."Assessing damageOn the annual assessment walk through the parks, Hoffman said the organization had previously noted some of the older maples that were fragile, which could be a liability.Hoffman said the one regret that he has is that a memorial tree was cut down without the family members being notified in advance.He said that both he and Beckett have been working together on a "better, more proactive, communication plan to avoid this from happening going forward."The plaque from under the tree was saved, and Hoffman will work with the family members to select a new memorial tree to replace the one that was taken down.Hoffman said, "The memorial tree program is something that the Shade Tree Commission takes very serious, recognizing that when a family memorializes a tree in honor or memory of a loved one, the tree becomes much more than just a tree to those family members. An emotional bond takes place, allowing the family to connect with the tree in a way that only those family members can describe."The fact that the removal of the mature older trees has created as much excitement within the community as it has is seen as a very positive sign, Hoffman said."It is an indication that the residents of Lehighton really do care about the trees within their community, which motivates the Shade Tree (commission) even more to move forward with their initiative to plant 150 trees in 2016," he said. "Although the initiative to plant 150 trees is a Shade Tree initiative, the vision of the members is that combined with the additional trees being planted in the park, there will be additional trees within the borough that are not the property of the borough or the Shade Tree Commission, but rather a connection to the residents of the community, creating a bond to the town where they live and the many wonderful benefits Lehighton has to offer."The projectThe borough received two grants for the project: a $250,000 from the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, and $245,000 from the DCED Multimodal Grant Program.She said the work includes the installation of park lighting, crosswalks, curbing, sidewalks, walkways, landscaping, and new park furniture, as well as fountain improvements, stormwater improvements, and the rehabilitation of the Colonel Jacob Weiss Monument.The borough's Light & Power Department will complete the new electrical service, trenching, and install the LED park lighting, as well as additional electrical upgrades in the park, Beckett said.The Public Works department will be responsible for contracting the tree removal, bench removal, and the demolition of the concrete pads prior to construction, she said.If there are interested parties who had painted the park benches in the Lower Park, Beckett said the borough will hold onto the bench slats for a short time. Anyone with interest in them should contact the borough, she said.Beckett said the project will be completed in time for the Sesquicentennial Celebration, and will also be a showcase piece for the borough's downtown.The borough is awaiting a presentation piece of the future outlay of the park for the public to see, and expects to have it within the next few days, Beckett said."We are very excited to show off the park rehabilitation during the 150th Celebration," she said.Beckett said bids will be opened Jan. 8.