Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Trevor Wilkins opens the Island Park Music Series Thursday in Youngsville.

The Island Park Music Series kicked off last week with a performance by Trevor Wilkins.

Wilkins played a two-hour set Thursday with a local flavor, mentioning Chandlers Valley and the reservoir among many Warren County locations in his lyrics, to an appreciative crowd.

The series is a multi-layered opportunity.

Mostly local musicians get their talents some exposure.

The borough gets to show off a gem.

And residents and visitors can enjoy a couple hours of music in a family-friendly setting.

Mayor Scott Nelson said he wanted to bring a piece of Warren’s Music in the Park to the borough without setting up any competition.

About six years ago, he and Sebastian Christian started working on the idea. “Let’s try this.”

“We wanted to emulate what Warren did without taking away from them,” Nelson said. “Come down on a Thursday night, bring the kids, see some local talent. That was the idea of being able to do this.”

He worked with Jim Zavinski, who was the driving force behind both the Warren amphitheater and the Music in the Park program.

“Jim was very helpful to me,” Nelson said.

While the space in Warren is quite limited, Island Park could host thousands for a concert with plenty of room left for kids to play.

“It’s a beautiful space,” Nelson said. “It’s truly a gem. We’re trying to promote it.”

The series continues from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday.

The schedule through the end of June is:

¯ Sarah Marino — June 16;

¯ Dam Almost Famous — June 23; and

¯ Sean Patrick McGraw — June 30.

There are three options for locations for the concerts.

The stage is set up at the back of the YMCA building overlooking the park. On particularly hot days, the performance could utilize the pavilion at the west end of the park. And, in case of rain, Brokenstraw Winery — a few blocks away across Route 6 on Hillside Drive — would host, Nelson said.