Overton Park is a 342-acre park in the heart of Memphis. Bordered by thriving and diverse residential neighborhoods, it contains many of Tennessee's most important and historic natural and cultural assets, including the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis Zoo, Memphis College of Art, Rainbow Lake, Veterans Plaza, Greensward, 9-hole golf course and the 126-acre Old Forest State Natural Area. Designed by famed landscape architect George Kessler more than a century ago, Overton has fallen somewhat into disrepair, plagued by weeds, graffiti and broken-down facilities.
On December 6th, the City Council approved a 10-year management agreement with the newly formed non-profit Overton Park Conservancy. Once the paperwork is signed, the 342-acre Midtown park will remain city property with the conservancy overseeing all portions except the Memphis Zoo, the golf course and tenant facilities such as the Memphis College of Art, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Levitt Shell and the city General Services and Fire Department installations. The management agreement had been endorsed nearly two months ago by the council's Parks Committee, with members saying it will result in a better facility at lower cost to the city. The new management arrangement is the result of a year-long effort by a group of park-users, interest groups and tenants to provide for improvements that they say the city's budget-strapped Division of Park Services Division can't afford.
Adopting the model used by Memphis Zoo, Shelby Farms Park, the Memphis Botanic Garden and landmarks around the nation, the group calls for Overton to remain city property while being placed under management by a private, non-profit conservancy that could raise private funds to pay for improvements. The Overton Park Conservancy is an excellent example of public-private partnerships. Barely a week after receiving approval to manage one of the city's premiere recreational facilities, the Overton Park Conservancy announced that it had received a pledge of $1.5 million to help pay for operations and improvements at the park in Midtown Memphis. The gift from Memphis-based Plough Foundation represents the largest yet for the conservancy.
George Cates, one of the organizers of the group, said $3 million in private contributions already has been committed toward a $6 million goal over the next five years.
The private funding would allow for a gradual decline in the city’s costs at the park, Cates said. Under the plan, total taxpayer expenditures on operations and capital improvements would drop from $329,000 in 2012 to $150,000 in 2016 and beyond.
The group, which is awaiting approval of its tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, also plans to get started on a list of improvement projects. They include the removal of invasive plants from the old-growth forest, the rebuilding of a playground near Rainbow Lake and establishment of a "state-of-the-art" dog park, Cates said.
Earlier this year, park proponents achieved one goal when the Tennessee General Assembly designated 126 acres of the forest as a state natural area, protecting it against further encroachment or degradation.
Overton Parks Conservancy says that, “[Their} main goal is to maintain the city's ownership of the park, while decreasing its obligation -- and burden to taxpayers -- over time.”
From the very beginning, the conservancy is interested in public input at every phase. They created a survey that asked a broad range of questions, such as: What do you love about Overton Park? What problems must be addressed? Would you support non-profit conservancy management of Overton Park? And describe you ideal Overton Park. Regarding the survey, the conservancy says, “We want to take the information from this survey and use it to create a long-term strategic plan for Overton Park. We’ve gathered local advocates, preservationists, ecologists, business leaders, and educators to collaborate on our best ides to protect and improve our park’s public spaces.”
The Overton Park Conservancy is in the early stages of executing a well thought out plan. They have created a public-private partnership, and they are interested in stakeholders’ opinions throughout the entire process. I believe that Overton Park can once again become the “crown jewel” of the Memphis Park System.
References:
Tom Charlier: New Conservancy Ready to Dig into Overton Park. December 11, 2011.
Tom Charlier: Overton Park Conservancy Receives $1.5 Million Pledge. December 16, 2011.
Memphis Daily News. December 8, 2011.
http://overtonpark.org/
On December 6th, the City Council approved a 10-year management agreement with the newly formed non-profit Overton Park Conservancy. Once the paperwork is signed, the 342-acre Midtown park will remain city property with the conservancy overseeing all portions except the Memphis Zoo, the golf course and tenant facilities such as the Memphis College of Art, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Levitt Shell and the city General Services and Fire Department installations. The management agreement had been endorsed nearly two months ago by the council's Parks Committee, with members saying it will result in a better facility at lower cost to the city. The new management arrangement is the result of a year-long effort by a group of park-users, interest groups and tenants to provide for improvements that they say the city's budget-strapped Division of Park Services Division can't afford.
Adopting the model used by Memphis Zoo, Shelby Farms Park, the Memphis Botanic Garden and landmarks around the nation, the group calls for Overton to remain city property while being placed under management by a private, non-profit conservancy that could raise private funds to pay for improvements. The Overton Park Conservancy is an excellent example of public-private partnerships. Barely a week after receiving approval to manage one of the city's premiere recreational facilities, the Overton Park Conservancy announced that it had received a pledge of $1.5 million to help pay for operations and improvements at the park in Midtown Memphis. The gift from Memphis-based Plough Foundation represents the largest yet for the conservancy.
George Cates, one of the organizers of the group, said $3 million in private contributions already has been committed toward a $6 million goal over the next five years.
The private funding would allow for a gradual decline in the city’s costs at the park, Cates said. Under the plan, total taxpayer expenditures on operations and capital improvements would drop from $329,000 in 2012 to $150,000 in 2016 and beyond.
The group, which is awaiting approval of its tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, also plans to get started on a list of improvement projects. They include the removal of invasive plants from the old-growth forest, the rebuilding of a playground near Rainbow Lake and establishment of a "state-of-the-art" dog park, Cates said.
Earlier this year, park proponents achieved one goal when the Tennessee General Assembly designated 126 acres of the forest as a state natural area, protecting it against further encroachment or degradation.
Overton Parks Conservancy says that, “[Their} main goal is to maintain the city's ownership of the park, while decreasing its obligation -- and burden to taxpayers -- over time.”
From the very beginning, the conservancy is interested in public input at every phase. They created a survey that asked a broad range of questions, such as: What do you love about Overton Park? What problems must be addressed? Would you support non-profit conservancy management of Overton Park? And describe you ideal Overton Park. Regarding the survey, the conservancy says, “We want to take the information from this survey and use it to create a long-term strategic plan for Overton Park. We’ve gathered local advocates, preservationists, ecologists, business leaders, and educators to collaborate on our best ides to protect and improve our park’s public spaces.”
The Overton Park Conservancy is in the early stages of executing a well thought out plan. They have created a public-private partnership, and they are interested in stakeholders’ opinions throughout the entire process. I believe that Overton Park can once again become the “crown jewel” of the Memphis Park System.
References:
Tom Charlier: New Conservancy Ready to Dig into Overton Park. December 11, 2011.
Tom Charlier: Overton Park Conservancy Receives $1.5 Million Pledge. December 16, 2011.
Memphis Daily News. December 8, 2011.
http://overtonpark.org/
