Carbon County officials say its county-owned lake as well as the parking lots are ready for the Memorial Day weekend.

On Thursday, Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said that “they’re pretty much ready to go for opening day.”

He noted that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to the summer season and the swim area is ready to go, while camping has been going on already.

All paving at the park has also been completed so visitors will not have delays regarding parking.

In addition, Jim Thorpe is expecting a very busy weekend with the return of steam engine 2102, owned by Reading and Northern Railroad. The Iron Horse Rambles excursion takes place Saturday, pulling the first passenger train from Reading Outer Station to Jim Thorpe behind the newly rebuilt 2102 in over 30 years.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that, in addition to Jim Thorpe growing as a tourist destination and the Memorial Day weekend, the county is expecting the parking lot to be filled.

The paving portion of the overflow lot has been completed as well.

One last project, being completed by Reading and Northern, is the pedestrian crosswalk at the entrance of the county parking lot in Jim Thorpe.

Nothstein said it is well underway is should be completed Friday.

The crosswalk was one of many improvements owner Andy Muller made since purchasing the rail line from Carbon County.

Nothstein said that a few weeks ago, Muller took the commissioners along the line to show them the improvements so far, which total over $5 million.

“The railroad is putting a lot of financial investment into the rail line,” Nothstein said.