Ellington

From the office of Mayor Johnson: City Vying for a Walking Trail for Battlefield Park Jackson's largest park, Battlefield Park, could receive a 1-mile walking/exercise trail if a grant is received from the Mississippi Recreational Trails Program administered by the Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks Department. The recent $800,000 improvements to the park included a new pro shop, tennis court improvements, landscaping, new playground equipment and parking lot paving. Grant funds were also used to renovate the swimming pool. Battlefield Park is the only public facility with clay tennis courts in the state. We've seen a tremendous increase in the number of families enjoying the park since the improvements, and it's worth the trip if you haven't been by lately.

Mississippi Housing Summit
If you or anyone you know are interested in providing affordable housing throughout Mississippi, or if you work for a non-profit agency, local or state governments working with housing, you may be interested in the Mississippi Housing Summit that's coming up Aug. 4-6. This year's summit will offer many workshops including homebuyer counseling, grant writing, training for nonprofits, tax credits, predatory lending and much more. The City of Jackson is one of many sponsors along with HUD, Fannie Mae, Housing Authority, Metro Housing and Home Corporation. The $25 registration fee includes lunch for both days. For more information, call HUD at 965-4700, ext. 3100 or Office of Housing and Community Development at 960-1490.

Get Batteries at the Environmental Service Center
The Solid Waste Division is now selling used lead acid batteries at the Environment Service Center, Highway 80 and Terry Road. The price ranges from .25 to $1.00 each. The center collects batteries from residents for disposal and must dispose of its stockpile. City Council members voted last week to sale the batteries and the money collected will be deposited into the Sanitation Fund. Remember if you have household hazardous waste, take it to the service center any Tuesday or Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. or same hours every fourth Saturday. Call the Solid Waste Division at 960-1193 for more information.

JFD Turns 100
Don't forget to come by Jamie Fowler Boyll Park on Lakeland Drive tomorrow for a day of fun and food. The Jackson Fire Department turns 100 years old. (Details on last week's e-mail).