Jackson Parks Group Lights up Neighborhood Parks for Holiday Season

New holiday lights installed at Kiwanis Park at N. Elm Avenue.  Courtesy photo.

(November 29, 2022 1:45 PM) Five neighborhood parks are looking “merry and bright” this holiday season thanks to a local non-profit organization. People for the Parks and Trails (PPT) worked with the City of Jackson to install lights in Betsy Butterfield Park, Elnora Moorman Plaza, Ganson Street Park, Austin Blair Park and Kiwanis Park.

Volunteers installed lights with the permission of the Parks and Recreation Department throughout Nov., with the displays turning on after Thanksgiving Day. PPT collaborated with the Kiwanis Club of Jackson to put up lights and holiday decor at Kiwanis Park off N. Elm Avenue.

The non-profit is focused on improving Jackson’s parks and trails through volunteering, fundraising and advocacy. 2022 was a busy year for People for the Parks and Trails, with the group completing volunteer projects at seven parks, two pedestrian trails and one cemetery. PPT also donated two new trash cans to the City’s MLK Equality Trail to help reduce litter and pet waste along the trail.

Volunteers expanded the number of light projects they did this year after lighting up two parks last year. A Christmas in July fundraiser was held this summer so PPT could purchase lights and accessories for the parks. “We thank everyone who has helped make such a positive project happen for the community,” said PPT President Aaron Dimick. “These lights add a lot of holiday cheer to our neighborhoods and shows everyone that Jackson is a welcoming community that cares about our public spaces.”

People for the Parks and Trails plan on leaving the lights on through the first week of Jan. Residents wanting to get involved with volunteer projects can submit an interest form through PPT’s website, peoplefortheparks.org. Donations are also accepted through the website to support volunteer work. The group is active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and regularly posts updates on group activities.