The borough of Tamaqua received a “declaration” of thanks from the Tamaqua Liberty Tree Park committee.

“We can frame it and hang it in the case,” at borough hall, borough Council President Brian Connely said of the large document.

In addition, Micah Gursky of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership was on hand at council’s recent meeting to express his gratitude to the borough for its work and help with the park project.

“I’m really here to thank the borough for the collaboration that we had to not only build Liberty Tree Park, but then to have the commemoration we had on July 4,” Gursky said on behalf of the partnership and the park committee.

The project took several years “and a lot of hard work” by the borough road crew and administration, he said.

The park between 31 and 39 N. Railroad St. — across from the Tamaqua Railroad Station — was readied in time for Independence Day. Many attended a dedication ceremony and Fourth of July celebration featuring historical reenactors, music and speakers.

“I think it’s a really nice way to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America and to build a park,” Gursky said.

The park features a small tulip poplar that has ancestry dating back to the Revolutionary War. Patriots would meet under the cover of “liberty trees” to discuss their opposition to British rule in the colonies.

Gursky, however, noted that some took to social media to comment that it will take years for the sapling to grow and provide shade.

“Really, that’s the point. If you don’t plant trees today, there won’t be shade tomorrow,” Gursky said.

The site of the park previously hosted blighted buildings. The partnership acquired those buildings at 31 and 39 N. Railroad St. and turned them over to the borough for demolition.

“We all remember what it was 2 and ½ years ago when it was a stop-by for drugs, there was a fire there and it was burned out. It was really not something to be proud of,” Gursky said. “Today it is something to be proud of and future generations will recognize that.”

“Thank you, Micah, for all your work and the committee’s work on that, too,” Connely said. “Without you guys putting it together, it wouldn’t have been possible.”