This week, we learned of another improvement, another visitor-friendly feature coming to Vicksburg’s top attraction.

With more than 500,000 visitors annually, and an economic impact of nearly $30 million, the Vicksburg National Military Park is by far the top spot on Vicksburg’s red carpet tour.

Monday, Vicksburg leaders approved a letter supporting the Civil War Trust’s application for a $1.14 million grant to build a mixed-use path called the Railroad Redoubt Loop and dedicate it to the park.

If the Trust gets the land and the grant, the city agrees to build the path provided the work does not cost the city anything.

The park, aside from documenting the Vicksburg campaign, preserving history, paying homage to those who died during the 47-day siege and providing an educational experience like no other, is a huge economic engine to Vicksburg and one that deserves our full support and investment.

Regardless of the season, the park features a world-class historical experience as well as providing visitors with some of the more beautiful vistas in Vicksburg.

Daily, sometimes hundreds of health enthusiasts walk among the trails and monuments, while cyclists take on some of the park’s challenging curves and hills.

The new, planned path just adds to the park’s experience, and we applaud the efforts of the Civil War Trust, the National Park Service and the City of Vicksburg for continuing to invest and grow our park.

Vicksburg must continue to embrace the history that shaped us.

The city needs to continue making investments in improving and growing the experiences the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come through Vicksburg have each year.

This investment in the park is just part of that effort, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.