City officials announced their intentions Friday to begin a program to improve the Vicksburg’s recreation facilities and neighborhood parks, and build community parks in neighborhoods that do not have one.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen Friday morning approved a resolution introduced by South Ward Alderman Willis Thompson committing the city to the project.

Thompson, who was appointed by Flaggs as recreation commissioner shortly after taking office in 2013, said after the meeting no schedule or budget has been set for the program, adding, “We developed a park improvement plan we’re going to follow, and everything we’re going to do is in there.”

He said a budget has not been set because “each park needs different things. Some just need a little complementary work, like painting and trimming and maybe a few equipment additions. Others may need new equipment, and we’ll install parks in areas where there are none. We’re going to use city personnel to do it and that will save money.”

Thompson, however, said the first neighborhood park expected to get improvements is Ken Karyl Park on Ken Karyl Avenue. “We’re going to add a play surface, we’ve got fencing ordered, we’ve talked to a contractor about restriping the basketball court and we’re going to do the painting in-house,” he said.

During the meeting, Thompson said the plan and resolution were the result of a tour of the city’s parks and recreational facilities over the past few months conducted by him and North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield.

“We (the board) believe that neighborhood parks provide a quality of life to our city and enhances the quality of life in our city, and this board is committed to improve the city of Vicksburg, neighborhood by neighborhood,” Thompson said. “By meeting with residents and talking with people in this community, this is something that’s most needed and desired.”

Mayor George Flaggs Jr., told Thompson, “You’ve got my unconditional support (for recreation) on moving forward. I’m glad you’re taking the lead on recreation.”

“We got out there, and we have a greater understanding of what we need,” Mayfield said. “They (the parks) are looking better. There’s some parks where we’re going to do some fencing, some where we’re going to put some new grills, some where we’re going to re-do playground equipment and the list goes on. It’s needed, I think the citizens deserve it and I appreciate this board for being aware and then responding.”