NATCHEZ — A national non-profit organization has decided how to spend its second year in Natchez.

My Brother’s Keeper has committed to providing funds to improve amenities at Concord Avenue Park and Duncan Park by September of this year.

The organization partnered with the City of Natchez last year to enhance the health and fitness of Natchez and Adams County residents by fixing up local parks.

In the last two years, My Brother’s Keeper reports it has awarded more than $247,000 to health and wellness programs in the Natchez area, including partnerships with the Natchez Children’s Home, Natchez-Adams School District, and the Natchez Housing Authority.

In 2015, the organization enhanced amenities at Jack Waite and North Natchez Parks with $200,000 in no-match grants.

The grant money funded the purchase of outdoor playground equipment, instructional fitness equipment, the resurfacing of basketball and volleyball courts, renovation of restroom facilities and a 20-by-20 foot vegetable garden.

Reggie S. Davis, communications manager for My Brother’s Keeper, said he had been working with Community Development Director James Johnston to determine how best to spend the organization’s grant funding during the city’s tricentennial year.

“Without the cooperation from (Johnston), we would not have been able to bring this partnership to the city,” Davis said.

The 2016 funds will go to projects such as resurfacing eight tennis courts, purchasing new playground equipment and refurbishing the walking trails at Duncan Park and Concord Avenue Park.

“We talked with a tennis instructor, and he mentioned how often (the courts) are used,” Davis said. “So it’s important that those are in great condition all the time.”

Davis said My Brother’s Keeper chose to revitalize Natchez parks because of its 2013 study that found residents of Adams County, along with six other counties in Southwest Mississippi, were at an increased risk of contracting chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

“The best approach to promoting active lifestyles is starting with existing structures like parks,” Davis said. “If residents are not attracted to the (park) area, they are unlikely to use it, which further widens the gap in health disparities in a county that ranks nationally as having the most residents affected by obesity.”

The 2013 study found 80 percent of Natchez residents live within five minutes of a park area, Davis said.

“We just want to make sure everyone knows the opportunity to make a lifestyle change is within walking distance,” Davis said.