Plans for Tamaqua’s Liberty Tree Park continue to take shape.

The North Railroad Street park, which is still under development, is home to Schuylkill County’s Liberty tree, and will soon have a Liberty Bell replica created by Tamaqua Area Middle School art students.

It will also receive an America250PA marker commemorating Revolutionary War patriots. The marker was secured by a county chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

“I was contacted by Eric Zizelmann (of the park committee) a couple of years ago regarding the Tamaqua Liberty Tree Park and the potential for DAR involvement,” explained Marria O’Malley Walsh, vice-regent of the Mahantongo Chapter of DAR, which includes all of Schuylkill County.

O’Malley Walsh, a Tamaqua native, would soon learn that the National DAR had begun a project to mark America’s 250th birthday.

“Our chapter applied for and was granted permission to place an NSDAR (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution) America 250 Patriots Marker at the Tamaqua Liberty Tree Park,” she said.

O’Malley Walsh noted that approximately 32 Patriots from the Tamaqua region served during the Revolutionary War — including two of her ancestors.

The plaque’s inscription reads, “This marker commemorates the men and women who achieved American independence. These Patriots, each believing in the noble cause of liberty, fought valiantly to found a new nation.”

It also notes that the plaque was dedicated by the local DAR in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Work on the park is on hold due to the winter weather, but earlier this month, the Tamaqua CRIZ Authority approved a $25,000 Keystone Mini Grant for a sidewalk project at the park.

Also, a fundraiser for the park headed by the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership is underway. Folks can donate by visiting https://bit.ly/4kW1BFc.

The partnership and Tamaqua SOS (Save Our Station) acquired and demolished blighted properties at 31 and 39 N. North Railroad Street to make way for the park. The land was turned over to the borough, which owns 33-37 N. Railroad St., allowing the park to span between 31 and 39 N. Railroad St.

The tree from America250PA’s Liberty Tree Project was planted in September. Liberty trees were used as symbolic meeting places for the “Sons of Liberty” in the years leading up to the American Revolution.

As for the local DAR, O’Malley Walsh said it sponsors a Good Citizens essay contest for high school students; recognizes outstanding high school seniors in the Panther Valley and Pine Grove high school’s JROTC programs; delivers items to veterans in local nursing homes; supports Wreaths Across America and maintains other DAR markers, including the Fort Lebanon marker that was installed in 1913 to commemorate location of the French and Indian War fort in Auburn.