Jim Thorpe is a tourist destination and Carbon County wants to make sure tourists act appropriately, while remaining safe during this time of uncertainty.

On Thursday, the commissioners announced that they are bringing a few of the furloughed parking attendants back to man the parking booth this weekend since hikers and bikers are beginning to come out to use the D&L Trail.

Commissioner Rocky Ahner said that the county should also work on a plan to provide port-a-potties, hand sanitizing stations and more thorough cleaning schedules.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said the question of who is responsible for paying for such things has yet to be answered and will need to have discussion with Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau as well.

“We can’t count on being reimbursed, but we have to figure out how to do it,” he said.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that his biggest concern is to safely reopen tourism since visitors will come no matter what Carbon County says to do.

Currently, the county has suspended agreements with vendors in the Josiah White Park and has announced there will be no large group activities in the park approved by the county anytime soon.

Requests for later in the year are being accepted, but there is no guarantee if and when they will be approved because it depends on the pandemic situation.

That also leaves the question of the annual Fall Foliage Festival, which brings thousands of visitors over a three-weekend period.

Nothstein said that it is all still up in the air at this time and the county and area tourism groups are in discussions on such matters and how they would be able to keep residents safe.

In the meantime, Nothstein said that he strongly urges people to follow protocols when using the trails, wear a mask, social distance yourself from others and be safe.