Some of the groups that have been protesting against the Memphis Zoo’s use of the Overton Park Greensward for overflow parking say they accept a temporary, limited use of the field if the zoo agrees to address parking needs “as quickly as possible.”
A statement was issued late Thursday from the Overton Park Alliance (OPA), an umbrella organization of all the different groups that have protested Greensward parking. After the news form the statement hit the media, many other Overton Park advocacy groups said on Facebook that they were not consulted on the opinions expressed in the OPA statement.
OPA said they will accept Greensward parking on an as-needed basis at the current boundary — at about one-third of the Greensward — that the zoo has been using for the past three weekends, “in exchange for the zoo’s commitment ro address its parking needs and reduce Greensward parking as quickly as possible.”
On Saturday, the zoo announced they supported parts of the parking an traffic study recently concluded by the Overton Park Conservancy (OPC). Zoo officials said they were open to re-configuring their existing surface lot, using on-street parking around the zoo, and, perhaps, even building a parking garage on Prentiss Place.
Zoo officials offered up a solution of their own. About 650 parking spots could be created on the current site of the city of Memphis’ General Services facility with enough room to create a second green space the zoo statement called “Greensward II.”
The OPA opposed this plan, though, as it would likely bring motorized trams through the Old Forest, shuttling zoo visitors to and from the lot.
The overall move by OPA shows a cooling of what was a very hot contest between the protesters and the zoo. Hundreds have taken to the Greensward over the past few weeks with signs, chants, musical instruments, and more, to yell at cars parking on the Greensward, do yoga, paint, and even conduct a food drive.
