The Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s resolution to for a stronger commitment to improving Vicksburg’s city parks and recreational facilities shows the board’s commitment to improving the quality of life in the city by providing areas where families and individuals can go for play, exercise or just to get away from the pressures of the day.

But the board’s commitment goes beyond the resolution it passed last week.

In 2014, it signed an agreement for as state grant to build two new tennis courts at Halls Ferry Park, and followed that up earlier this year with an agreement to build two more.

In September, it signed an agreement with the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce Community Fund and the National Park Service for a $25,000 grant, clearing the way to plan five walking trails through the city, and several weeks later received a $99,000 federal Recreational Trails Program grant administered by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks for a walking trail at Halls Ferry Park.

The first phase of the city’s $18 million capital improvements bond issue includes $300,000 for improvements at neighborhood parks and Riverfront Park, which it co-owns with Warren County. Another $100,000 is dedicated for playground in the Kings community.

Much of the legwork for this rededication to recreation was done by Thompson and North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield with the full support of Mayor George Flaggs Jr. Thompson and Mayfield toured the city’s parks and neighborhoods evaluating their conditions and equipment and determining the city’s needs. And some basic maintenance has already begun.

South Ward Alderman Willis Thompson summed the board’s philosophy well when he said during the board’s Oct. 9 meeting when the resolution was passed, “We 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. By meeting with residents and talking with people in this community, this is something that’s most needed and desired.”