A key piece of the Tom Lee Park renovation project won a $3.7 million federal grant announced Tuesday and is expected to trigger nearly $9 million in additional funds.
The Tailout Trail section of the park redesign is expected to give “visitors an immersive experience of an ecologically-diverse area at the far south end of the park.” The elevated walkways and Canopy Walk overlook there are the keys to the more-natural southern end of the park called Habitat Terraces in design documents.
The $3.7 million grant is from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the Tailout Trail, a “canopy boardwalk” along the Mississippi River. The EDA said the grant will be matched with $6 million in local government funds and is expected to generate $2.8 million in private investment.
“This project will provide a unique opportunity to experience the natural splendor that Memphis and the Mississippi River have to offer, while creating opportunities for new local businesses in river touring, biking, and hiking,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo.
Habitat Terraces, where the Tailout Trail will be located, is one of four distinct segments of the new park design. The others, from north to south, are the Civic Gateway, the Active Core, and the Community Batture.
Designers described the Habitat Terraces as “a more intimate experience of the natural landscape. It is expected to include a Canopy Walk that connects the park to the city by means of an elevated path through the biodiverse forest of Tom Lee Park’s southern zone and immersive platforms which offer park-goers a quiet acoustic environment to experience the sights and sounds of the Mississippi River.
“The Tailout Trail will be one-of-a-kind, inviting visitors up and (during high water) over river habitat for spectacular views of the Mississippi, the Arkansas floodplain, and the more than 325 bird species,” U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) said in a statement. “The project will draw national attention and support to Memphis and is expected to bring thousands of new visitors to the riverfront.
“These visitors will have a significant impact on nearby restaurants, music venues, and hotels. Once completed, the Tailout Trail will be a major focal point for eco-tourism in Memphis, spawning new small businesses associated with river touring, biking, and hiking, which will help increase employment opportunities, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.”
The funding for the trail comes from EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program.