From staff reports

Although members of the Junior Auxiliary announced the Children’s Playground at Catfish Row would be opened to the public on Monday, the City of Vicksburg is contending the playground remains closed.

City spokesman Barry Graham said there is no date slated for the official opening of the playground, but estimated it is still weeks off.

“The work is coming along nicely, but we still have fencing, sidewalk and landscaping work to do,” he said.

Graham said the city will make an official announcement when the playground is safe for use, which will be followed by a grand opening ceremony.

JA playground co-chairman Melissa Blackburn said although she feels the playground is safe for limited use while the city is not actively working on it, she supports the city’s decision to keep the playground closed.

“We’ll follow the city’s lead. If they want it closed, then it will stay closed,” said Blackburn, who initially announced the Monday opening. “We had hoped to have it open since June at the latest.”

The JA raised the funds to have the playground built in a one-week community blitz effort. The city donated the land and has been adding finishing touches for five months.