Jim Thorpe Borough plans to pursue a state grant to help cover the cost of the third phase of master site plan improvements at Memorial Park.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community Economic Development’s “Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program” grant could yield up to $250,000 toward the $1 million project, which includes two basketball courts, solar lighting, fencing and part of a fitness trail.

“The remainder of the financial commitment would be $762,145,” Borough manager Maureen Sterner said during a council workshop Thursday night. “We intend on applying for a Local Share Account grant and possibly a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recreation and conservation grant to help supplement the project.”

The borough applied for nearly $1.1 million in DCNR grant funding last fall for Memorial Park’s third phase, but was turned down. It did receive money through that grant, however, for repairs to the Asa Packer Mansion.

“We definitely need the basketball courts,” Councilman Mike Yeastedt said. “It’s one of the major uses in the park.”

While there are two courts at the park currently, one of them is not regulation size.

The borough received a combined $287,000 for Phase 1 of the project from three different sources including DCNR and DCED.

Phase 1, for which the borough has started design work, will include new playground equipment for children in the 2- to 5-year-old age range.

The municipality will also receive $171,000 for Phase 2 of the project, which includes the construction of pedestrian walkways; installation of play equipment for ages 5-12, a sensory garden, and utilities; Americans with Disabilities Act access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.

That funding also came courtesy of a state DCNR recreation grant and will go toward the estimated Phase 2 cost of $333,760.

“I think we need to continue to push forward trying to get these grants,” Council President Greg Strubinger said. “We’ve been pretty fortunate so far in terms of what we’ve been able to go get, and I’m hoping that remains the same for this third phase of improvements.”