We at times have been critical of the city for what appears to be insufficient planning and development along many of the key entry points heading in to the city.

We have called on the city to look at a development overlay plan for Clay Street to plan a future that might include stricter sign ordinances, burying utility lines and improved sidewalks and bike paths.

We have talked about the need to address the ornate lighting and signage along Halls Ferry through Marcus Bottom to Cherry Street.

But while this tender loving care is so needed for these two corridors, in particular, there is one where the city, and the county, should partner in addressing; the Halls Ferry/Fisher Ferry path heading to Sports Force Parks on the Mississippi.

This stretch of highway is tremendously well-traveled on a daily basis with those heading to the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, as well as those hundreds who take that busy stretch of road back and forth from home each morning and evening.

But now, with the addition of the sports complex, traffic along that stretch of road has no doubt increased many times over and those who are now traveling that road more than ever are visitors. It would be nice if effort and investment was made to make the corridor upon our city and county’s most welcoming stretches.

It is also an area that through strong planning could become some of those most cherished and attractive retail development sites. The traffic alone should beacon investors and developers alike.

Vicksburg and Warren County welcome thousands of visitors each and every year. They travel hundreds of miles to enjoy our history, our downtown, our food and now Sports Force Parks on the Mississippi.

In a business sense, these visitors are our foot traffic, they are those who are coming to our store to “look around.” It is important their experience is not just one graced with good manners and service, but is one where they leave impressed by how our city and county are presented and cared for.

Sports Force Parks on the Mississippi has quickly developed into a key driver of our local economy. It is important to spend the time and money to make sure the first impression the thousands who head down Halls Ferry and Fisher Ferry to get to the Park is a good one.