'Breath of fresh air': Memphians come in droves to enjoy Tom Lee Park reopening
The much anticipated reopening of Tom Lee Park Saturday morning began with a ceremonial parade from the bluff to the park's entrance, drawing parkgoers, elected officials and supporters.
The park's $63 million renovation started in July 2021, and the final touches were completed for the grand reopening set for the holiday weekend, unveiling walking trails, an extensive children's play area, basketball court and canopy activity area dedicated to Tyre Nichols, all overlooking the Mississippi River.
More: How Tom Lee Park was transformed into a public space 'unlike any in the world'
Memphians joined together in the parade, led by Lucky 7 Brass Band at the Carlisle Cutbank Bluff, which connects Downtown to the riverfront park.
The walkway, ADA accessible, made an easy path for parkgoers and strollers carrying children as well as small dogs.
Dogs were seen climbing on rocks that surround the pathway, looking down over the park, as the crowd enjoyed the unveiling.
A toast was given before the parade, with many notable Memphis and Shelby County elected officials and donors. Tyree Daniels, chairman of the Memphis River Parks Partnership board of directors, gave special thanks to both elected officials and donors for their part in making the renovations happen.
"Thank you, donors, large and small, big and tall," Daniels said. "Our fundraising campaign is a collection of so many gifts from so many people that have persevered through this."
The parade ended at the parks entrance, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
New amenities driving force in attendance on opening day
The added amenities attracted Memphians from around the area, even Mississippi, to experience the newly designed playgrounds, wandering walking paths, activity areas and fresh new look of the park.
Lucille Benson, a lifetime Memphis resident, said there is "something here for everyone."
"It is an area where everyone can find a nice place to sit and enjoy the river, it's just so nice," Benson said.
Marshall and Christa Ogier attended opening day with their child, riding their bikes from the Midtown area to the park's front entrance. The parents said they bike everywhere throughout the city, calling the bike parking at the park a welcomed highlight.
Multiple events were offered for attendees from 901 Volleyball's 4 on 4 Tournament on the grass to guided fitness workouts through the park, which filled the day with with smiles, smells of sunscreen and fresh food.
Artwork throughout the park also attracted passersby to join in the opening day festivities.
Attendee Marjorie Johnson said the abstract art, buildings and structures bring a breath of fresh air to downtown.
Space dedicated to Tyre Nichols
On Friday during a media preview, Memphis River Parks Partnership president and CEO Carol Coletta said she was proud of the park and both the Parks Partnership, and the city have accomplished.
“The park is really everything we expected and more,” she said.
Coletta added that park is the most visible part of Memphis, and she hopes the changes to Tom Lee Park will help elevate not only the city’s riverfront but visitors’ first impressions of the city.
During the media preview, a pair of Memphis natives took part in unveiling the park’s sunset canopy, revealing a 20,000-square-foot activity area is dedicated to Tyre Nichols. Memphis Tigers Basketball Coach Penny Hardaway shot the first basketball at the canopy’s new basketball court with a design by artist James Little on the court.
Little’s wife, Fatima Shaik, said the goal was to create something illuminating similar to a sunset, and she hopes her husband’s work captures that.
“The park is for everyone,” she said. “(Hopefully) it can introduce everyone to art and those who wouldn’t usually be into art.”
The canopy is located alongside First Horizon Sunset Longue, the River Play playground which features animal structures from Denmark-based Monstrum and a series of play areas, including putting tees, a fitness station and the 100,000-square-foot TVA Central Lawn.
During opening day, the Tennessee Mass Choir sang underneath the canopy, drawing curious onlookers during the performance overlooking the river.
“We look forward to a lot of Memphians making memories under the sunset canopy,” Shaik said.
Healthier 901festival
Meanwhile, across town, an estimated 3,000 people attended Saturday’s Healthier 901 festival at Shelby Farms Park, primarily sponsored by Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. The healthcare system in April kicked off a challenge for Memphians to lose one million pounds of excess weight in three years. Methodist executives have said they developed the challenge in response to hospital findings that revealed the area's main causes of death are heart disease and cancer, with clear links to obesity.
More: Methodist Le Bonheur challenges Mid-Southerners to fight obesity | Opinion
In addition to participating in health screenings and fitness activities, attendees heard a message on living healthier from entertainer/talk show host Sherri Shepherd, a co-emcee of the event. They also saw healthy cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs including Kelly English and Christopher Beavers. Other sponsors included Cigna Healthcare, Kroger, Action News 5 and Nike.
Mark Russell of The Commercial Appeal contributed to this story.
Brooke Muckerman covers Shelby County Government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X/Twitter @BrookeMuckerman.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: New playgrounds, fresh food bring hundreds to Tom Lee Park reopening
