The 9/11 Memorial Trail through the Panther Valley could bring upward of 4,000 visitors through Lansford in its first year, borough Council President Bruce Markovich said Tuesday.

Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevechio handed out a newspaper editorial about the trail, which will connect the 9/11 memorial sites in New York City, Shanksville and Washington, D.C.

One section of the trail will connect the D&L Trail in Jim Thorpe to Pottsville, and that section is planned to cross through the Panther Valley.

“It’s very important for us to support this,” Collevechio told fellow council members.

Councilman George Gilbert said he understands that the trail is supposed to connect the four boroughs of the Panther Valley, but doesn’t understand how that will work.

The path for that section of the trail has not been announced, Markovich said, and is expected to be finalized this month. A public meeting on the trail is set for Oct. 23 at the Panther Valley High School.

A route through Lansford was discussed, Markovich said. That path would have the trail come down from Summit Hill, continue down Abbott Street to Tunnel Street into the business district, and then head back to Bertsch Street and into Coaldale, he said.

“That may change,” Markovich said. “I was told after the last meeting that they’re looking at alternate routes to that.”

One of the things needed was a trailhead — a parking area with restrooms for visitors, he said. This would allow visitors to start their hike in Lansford, rather than Jim Thorpe, especially at this time of the year, Markovich said.

The borough reached out to the owners of the former St. Michael’s church for a possible trailhead, and also to the No. 9 Mine and Museum, he said.

The trail isn’t going to cost the borough any money, but will help bring people into town and boost the economy, he said. Markovich said the borough should take a trail-friendly attitude, encouraging businesses geared toward trail enthusiasts.

Collevechio pointed out that visitors will be looking for places to eat, so this would be good time for someone interested in opening a luncheonette in the business district.

“This is going to be a positive thing for the borough,” she said.