SOUTHAVEN, MS- (WMC-TV) - It's tough to have a picnic without a table, enjoy a park's view without a bench, or play volleyball without a net.

These are problems some Southaven residents have had to deal with in neighborhood parks, but hopefully not for long.

"Some equipment wears faster than others, others go lifetimes without wear so this Penny for the Parks initiative will kind of improve those," said Jared Azzone, Southaven's Assistant Parks Director.

Since December, every time you go out to eat in Southaven, one penny for every dollar you spend goes back to the city's parks.

"I believe we will start seeing some of those funds at the end of this month," Azzone said.

The voter-approved Penny for the Parks initiative is expected to generate $1.2 million each year.