NATCHEZ — Yellow construction tape danced in the breeze Thursday at Jack Waite Park on St. Catherine Street.

That tape, however, will be replaced with balloons and a big red ribbon Saturday as the city celebrates the grand opening of the renovated neighborhood park.

Jack Waite Park, along with North Natchez Park, received more than $90,000 in grant funds from My Brother’s Keeper, a Jackson-based non-profit organization that focuses on reducing health disparities in communities, particularly those considered to have vulnerable populations.

Natchez Community Development Director James Johnston said the grant provided funds for more than 10 new pieces of outdoor playground equipment, instructional fitness equipment and a 20-by-20 foot raised vegetable garden bed.

“It’s all tied to improving the health and wellness of the community,” Johnston said.

Terricha Phillips, communications manager for My Brother’s Keeper, said the organization targets Mississippi as a whole.

“The mission for MBK is to improve health in the southwest region,” she said. “Improving parks and recreation, that’s the first step. It promotes physical activity.”

Phillips said the restoration of Jack Waite Park and North Natchez Park are the first projects the organization has administered in Natchez.

She said she would like to see My Brother’s Keeper do more in the Miss-Lou, though.

“We want to get people moving in their local parks,” Phillips said. “And we want communities to have easy and safe access to places that can improve their physical health.”

Because the city used in-kind services to install new playground equipment at Jack Waite Park, Johnston said the park’s restoration came at little cost to the city.

Johnston said the city’s public works department and the Corrections Corporation of America helped with the park’s refurbishing.

“The CCA helped with refurbishing the benches, waste receptacles and picnic tables,” Johnston said.

Johnston said the city has also requested funds through My Brother’s Keeper for restorations at Duncan and Concord Avenue parks.

Those funds have not yet been awarded, he said.

The city will cut the ribbon on Jack Waite Park at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The park is located on the corner of St. Catherine and McCabe streets. Giveaways and refreshments will be provided.