Do you have a deceased loved one who loved the outdoors?

Mauch Chunk Lake Park has an opportunity for families who would like to sponsor a memorial bench in their loved one’s name.

Benches cost approximately $1,200 each and are made to last.

Last week, the Carbon County Parks and Recreation Commission spoke about the project, which has been ongoing at the park for years.

The topic arose after a request for additional benches along the Switchback Trail between West Broadway/Lentz Trail in Jim Thorpe and Flagstaff Road.

The commission said that it already has several memorial benches throughout the park and additional memorial benches currently in the works, but is always open to adding more.

It hopes to install at least two additional memorial benches along the Switchback Trail.

If you are interested in memorializing a bench in honor of a loved one, call the park office at 570-645-3669.

In a related matter, Dave Horvath, Mauch Chunk Lake Park director, said he would ask the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission if it would reconsider their position on benches on the breast of the dam.

Benches had been removed from the breast of the dam at the direction of the state.

“A lot of people miss those benches,” Horvath said.