Now that Jim Thorpe has joined the Lehigh Canal Park Commission, work has begun to whip the recently-acquired 1.4 miles of overgrown towpath back into shape as a walking trail.

Workers from the Youth Forestry Camp No. 2 at Hickory Run State Park, under the direction of Jude Hill, have been cutting down brush and trees on the new section of the park.

When the work is complete, the towpath will link Palmerton to Jim Thorpe by a walking trail.

Since its purchase, the park has been jointly owned b y Lehighton, Weissport and Parryville boroughs as well as Franklin and Mahoning townships. Jim Thorpe became the seventh member in April when it deeded the 1.4 miles of property to the commission.

Funding for the trail’s project is provided in part by the Pennsylvania Heritage Park Program.