How the Memphis Parks Department honors Civil Rights Movement at MLK Reflection Park

Located in a one-block area behind the Memphis Light, Gas and Water building and with Beale Street in the background is one of the smallest parks within Memphis. Coming in at only 0.6 acres, MLK Reflection Park was rededicated on the 56th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s death in Memphis.

The rededicated space features photos from the Ernest Withers Collection, three podiums with language from three different speeches King gave and a fountain. The fountain is heated so it can run all year round.

While it might be one of the smallest parks in the city, it holds a special meaning to many ― including those who take care of it. Ranking foremen for the Memphis Parks Department normally supervise their working foreman, Parks Director Nick Walker said. They typically do not take on the whole responsibility for an entire park.

"In this case, (ranking) foremen said, 'This park is important to us and that we want to actually make sure that we (take care of it) regularly,'" Walker said.

The foremen take care of MLK Reflection Park continually, instead of periodically filling in, he said.

"To me, that just spoke about how important it was because, again, it really reminds me of when either a deputy director or you know, someone who's in more of an administrative role says 'This is important enough to me that I need to get my hands involved,'" Walker said.

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Parks Operations Maintenance Manager Gettone Smith said that because of the park's central Downtown location it brings in a lot of visitors, including city officials, so keeping the park "pristine," is extremely important. Smith said that trash crews are there daily, there are regular check-ins with the park's horticulturist and maintenance technicians are constantly monitoring the irrigation system for the fountain.

"This particular park has such heavy tourism and what it means to the Civil Rights Movement...we make sure it is taken care of...(and) it is always pristine," Smith said.

Connie Shepard, a horticulturist for the parks system, said the plants chosen for the space were very important in the design. Shepard said the plants needed to be hardy due to the high-traffic area, but also needed to bring tranquility to the space.

"Plants that are there are hardy...and they can handle a lot of misuse, abuse and misuse and come back still be nice and tidy," Shepard said.

Park Ranger Manager Kaia Wooten said that the rangers who will visit the space will be able to tell visitors about the history of the park and the elements of the park in an educational aspect. In addition to educating people about the space, rangers are also responsible for keeping the park clean.

Wooten said they are currently working on brochures that give more information about the parks that rangers will be able to pass out.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: MLK Reflection Park: How Memphis Parks Department keeps it pristine