Funding for the $60 million Tom Lee Park renovation project is now 80 percent complete, according to the Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP).
The project will completely transform the now-flat and wide open riverside park with small hills, paths through forests, a cafe with a porch, a covered space for recreation, a new entry plaza, a canopy walk, and more. Construction on the Cutbank Bluff portion of the project are underway now. Half of the project funding will come from state, city, and county coffers. The remainder of will be raised privately, an effort that got an early boost with a $5 million gift from the Hyde Family Foundation.
MRPP said other gifts have come from AutoZone ($1 million), First Horizon Foundation ($1 million), Baptist Memorial Health Care ($750,000), Campbell Clinic ($250,000) and Regional One Health ($250,000). All funds for the 30-acre park project now total $48 million.
“It’s exciting to know that we’re so close to achieving a goal that Memphians have dreamt of for nearly a hundred years,” said Tyree Daniels, MRPP board chair. “The new Tom Lee Park will be one of the best parks in America and will create a signature place that Memphis — and Memphians — deserve.”
The public can get a look at the latest design on Wednesday, April 14th. Project designers from Studio Gang and SCAPE will present the latest details with new visuals and a question-and-answer session at the end. Register for the event here. http://bit.ly/TomLeePark0414.
