A Nesquehoning park will soon get a much needed upgrade thanks to a $133,346 grant.

On Tuesday, state Sen. John Yudichak and Rep. Doyle Heffley announced that the borough was awarded Act 13 funding for the Earl Johnson Memorial Park project.

The grant will be used for the replacement of a retaining wall at the far end of the park, which currently supports an elevated asphalt surface that is unused. That surface will also be turned into a parking lot to alleviate parking challenges around the park due to its location. The park is located on West Railroad Street and backs up to High Street, a narrow, one-way street.

The parking lot will include a new sidewalk, seven parking spaces and one handicap space, concrete steps and an ADA approved ramp and a new chain link fence along the edge of the retaining wall.

Nesquehoning Borough Council President David Hawk said Tuesday that the borough is pleased by the announcement and thanked Yudichak and Heffley for helping secure the funds needed.

“The borough is looking forward to both improving the park for recreation, and improving the parking and road access for the local residents,” he said.

“With the Act 13 grant award for the Earl Johnson Memorial Park, Pennsylvania continues to invest in the tourism and recreational assets that make Carbon County a beautiful place to live and visit,” Yudichak said.

“I am pleased to see this state funding come back into the community to enhance the recreational opportunities for Nesquehoning residents,” said Heffley. “This project is going to make the park safer and improve access, and I look forward to its completion. I am always happy to work with our local municipalities in securing state grants and congratulate borough officials for seeking this funding through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program.”

The Marcellus Legacy Fund was created by Act 13 of 2012 to provide for the distribution of unconventional gas well impact fees to counties, municipalities, and commonwealth agencies.