Carbon County’s donation of 23 acres of the Packerton Yards property to Lehighton Borough is now official.

Carbon commissioners approved the agreement Thursday, which will allow the borough to move forward with its plans to establish a recreation area on the land, which Chairman Wayne Nothstein said was along the Lehigh River and not suitable for any type of building.

“It’s very narrow and isn’t big enough for any structures,” Nothstein said. “Lehighton Borough requested the land, and we’re happy to help them out with their recreation efforts. The area has been used by the rafting companies for many years, so this is just a natural extension of that use.”

All of the property being donated is located inside the borough line.

In March, Chris Strohler from the Wildlands Conservancy met with Lehighton Borough Council and said there was interest in constructing a more formal boat launch and fishing access at Dunbar’s Beach.

Thursday’s formal agreement between the county and borough will allow Lehighton to move forward with the required survey, right of way and easement development in preparation for the submission for a subdivision plan.

“The plan all along for Packerton Yards was for that lower end of the property to be used for recreational purposes,” Commissioner William O’Gurek said. “It’s located in the flood plain so you can’t build. There is great access to there to the river, walking trails, parks, etc.”

Lehighton Borough Manager Nicole Beckett, in March, said the project is expected to be funded through the Palmerton Restoration Trustee Council for construction costs for river access once the borough secured the property and access.

On Monday, she touted the borough’s partnership with Carbon County and the Wildlands Conservancy as vital to the future of the Lehigh River Water Trail.

“For decades, riverfront development and access has been a goal of local officials,” Beckett said. “Acquiring this property will allow for public access to the Lehigh River along with opportunities for recreation in the Lehighton Borough. The Lehigh River Water Trail is as important as the Delaware and Lehigh Trail in the borough. We look forward to providing additional recreation to our residents and visitors.”

The next steps, Beckett added, include the borough’s professional team working on the surveying and legal steps required to receive the property.

Commissioners walked the site with U.S. Sen. Bob Casey in the past and discussed the recreational opportunities available to Lehighton Borough.

For a town that, like many others, has fallen on some hard economic times, O’Gurek said, this project is yet another opportunity to bring in dollars that would have been otherwise unavailable.

“Lehighton is working hard to promote its community, as are many other towns, and this access is something that could bring people in to drive the economy,” he said. “They see, like we do, an opportunity for people to come and spend money and we’re happy to be a partner with them as they make an investment to help turn around the economy.”