A new traffic pattern and expanded parking options in Jim Thorpe passed the test after a few hiccups on the first weekend of the annual Fall Foliage Festival, according to police.

Borough Police Chief Joe Schatz said preparation made a noticeable difference compared to previous years.

“I think we were better prepared this year,” he said. “We had good communications with our parking lots, which allowed us to inform officers about available spaces and they passed that information on to the motorists, keeping things moving.”

The coordination ensured that as the main county parking lot in downtown Jim Thorpe filled up by its usual time, around 11 a.m., alternatives were available for visitors.

Parking has long been a challenge during Jim Thorpe’s busiest October weekends. In addition to the county lot, several other parking options were heavily utilized Saturday and Sunday.

Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers reserved parking with a shuttle service, as do Immaculate Conception Church and Pocono Whitewater, which provides parking and a shuttle drop-off on the east side of town. Sam Miller Field also offers parking, with shuttles bringing visitors from the heights section of the borough down to the Opera House.

The Jim Thorpe Little League has pitched in as well, offering parking for $10 every Sunday during the fall foliage season at 250 W. Fifth St., although no shuttle is provided from this location.

Despite the expanded parking options, Jim Thorpe’s new traffic pattern in the heights section — where Center Avenue became a one-way road heading west, and South Avenue became one-way heading east — posed some challenges. According to Schatz, some visitors’ GPS systems guided them the wrong way on one-way streets, particularly around South Avenue and Hill Road.

“We had an officer stationed at the intersection to direct drivers,” Schatz said. “We made some adjustments on Sunday, but it’s really about people being alert and realizing the roads are one-way now.”

The borough plans to use social media to further educate visitors about the changes.

However, the feedback on the new traffic pattern has been largely positive.

James Dougher of the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency reported to Schatz on Monday morning that local businesses were pleased with the flow of traffic.

“Traffic was flowing,” Schatz said. “It was our normal amount of traffic, but it was moving.”

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway continues to break records for ticket sales. On Saturday, the railway sold over 5,300 tickets, topping its previous one-day record from 2022.

Schatz is cautiously optimistic heading into the upcoming Columbus Day weekend, which typically sees an influx of visitors.

“The weather’s been great, and that helps,” he said. “But this weekend will be the real test.”

Early indications from the county, he added, suggest that parking reservations at Mauch Chunk Lake Park are already up, signaling another busy weekend ahead.

Despite the heavy crowds, Schatz said the borough’s planning efforts seem to be working.

“We threw everything we had at it last weekend,” he said, “and we’ll keep doing the same to keep traffic moving and ensure pedestrians cross safely.”