The Partnership Park improvements aren't quite done yet, but there is still plenty to celebrate.

The 15-year-old neighborhood park at Mason and Williams streets in Jackson will be part of "National Night Out" festivities Tuesday.
 

The park has a new wrought iron fence, rubberized mulch and landscaping, much of it done by neighborhood residents.

The park is also in line to get a new drum circle, concrete chess tables and barbecue grills.

"We're doing a first celebration to show people what we've done so far," said Jon Hart, community organizer for Partnership Park with the Community Action Agency.

The celebration is 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

National Night Out, now in its 26th year, is designed to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

Jackson Police Sgt. Jeffrey Mazur, who patrolled the park as an officer from 1994 to 1996 and as a supervisor since 2002, said the area does not see as much crime as it used to and he believes the park — and the neighborhood spirit it generates — is at least partly responsible.

"To me, it's a role model and an example," Mazur said.

The celebration will have live music.

The Jackson Breakfast Rotary Club will offer free hot dogs, side dishes and cold drinks, and several nonprofit organizations will participate in a mini service fair.