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New gravel was laid on the Greensward to shore up the pathway used for overflow parking by the Memphis Zoo.
After a string of rainy day, the Memphis Zoo laid gravel on the Overton Park Greensward to support the path it uses for overflow parking
Zoo spokeswoman Laura Doty said that the rain had washed away the existing gravel on on the path.
“Prior to the expected visit of 4,000 schoolchildren and their parents today, the zoo graded and re-graveled the entryway only – no new areas,” Doty said in a statement. “Additionally, because we adhered to the original line on the Greensward, we unfortunately had to turn away some schoolchildren and their parents once the parking areas were full.”
The appearance of the gravel had many concerned that the zoo overstepped its use agreement with the city, saying the path could be considered a permanent fixture.
Bill Stegall has been actively protesting Greensward parking. In a statement posted to the Stop Hurting Overton Park Facebook group, he said the acton won’t provoke protestors but “we are watching.”
“They did this despite a Memphis City Council agreement that they make no changes to the area under dispute,” Stegall wrote. “It will take a bulldozer to remove this rock. This is another obvious provocation from the zoo officials and a clear sign that they view mediation as a nothing more than a temporary speed bump on their path to pave the entire Greensward.”
