Eldred Township is exceptionally fortunate to have an array of open spaces and other public properties which bring beauty to the Township and have the potential to offer its residents a wide variety of recreational opportunities. 

The Township is working to develop the potential of these properties. That includes trails through the woods, open green fields, a town square to serve as a gathering place, a playground with space for outdoor sports games, and a railroad trail that may ultimately connect with trails through Carbon County and beyond. 

Walter Mock Memorial Park, the pride of the Township, covers 75 acres of farm and woodlands. In 2007, we purchased it with the help of grants and the generosity of Mrs. Jacqueline Mock, who named the Park after her father-in-law. We have developed a section of Mock Park Field Map – Parks and Recreation, Eldred Township of Monroe County, PA, as a picnic area off Fiddletown Road, which is now open to the public. There is a path from the picnic area that leads to a beautiful spot along Princess Run, where fishing is permitted in season. For those looking for a longer walk, a trailhead at the end of Wes Flo Court opens onto a woodland path, which takes you to additional paths around and through Mock Field. On a clear spring or fall day, some have said that you can see the Delaware Water Gap from Mock Field. Ultimately, Mock Park will offer a wooded path passing four waterfalls and a historic farmhouse.

At the Community Center, the playground has been spruced up, and there is space for a pick-up soccer game. The Township has plans to add a walking trail near the playground, and additional trails may be added behind the Municipal Building.

The primary focus of development at this time, however, is the Village Square at Stone Arch Bridge. It’s to become both a special place for residents to meet and a signature piece for Kunkletown – one that showcases the Township’s natural beauty for people driving by. Picnic tables are already available at the Village Square with ample parking for those who wish to relax and enjoy a meal from the surrounding eateries, or take a break from a morning of fishing at the bridge.

Across the street from the Village Square is the original Town Post Office. The Township owns it, but it is leased to Eldred’s Historical Society, which is working to restore it. When done, the building will house the Society’s records and a small museum, showcasing local crafts. The location will also serve as an information center and be a worthy and attractive addition to the town center. 

Another Township resource is the old rail trail, to which the Township acquired rights in 2000, and which extends from Chestnutridge Dr. west into Carbon County. The Township has joined with Lower Towamensing Township and Palmerton Borough to commission a study to determine the feasibility of redeveloping the trail and opening it to Little Gap and Palmerton and ultimately the Appalachian Trail.

Both the Board of Supervisors and the Parks and Recreation Committee hope you will enjoy the recreational opportunities the Township offers and encourage you to become involved as the Township improves and opens more of its properties to the public. There are several ways to do this. The Historical Society welcomes new members to help with the restoration of the post office and other projects; contact information for the Society is available from the Township Secretary. The Parks and Recreation Committee invites the public to attend its meetings and participate in its discussions. It meets in the Municipal Building at 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Please join us, and if you are not already familiar with the recreational resources now open to the public, please check them out.

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