Caleb White sat on a railing overlooking the Mississippi River and ate a cornbread waffle from Paper Plate Pavilion as his dog, Marley, rested nearby. They were among the visitors at Tom Lee Day One on September 2nd at Tom Lee Park.
Asked what he thought about the 31-acre riverfront park, White says, “Freaking amazing. It’s exactly what this city needed. We just moved to Memphis a month and a half ago.”
White, who says they have “a bunch of kids,” added, “It’s a good place for kids to congregate and hang out. We’re a pretty sporty family.”
Facing him as they rested on some steps were White’s boyfriend, Dr. Dodgen Swanson, and White’s ex-wife, Brittany Vickery; White’s and Vickery’s children: Emma, Mary Katherine, Madeline, and Easton; and Vickery’s boyfriend, Brandon Conley, and his children Colt and Delilah.
White told me me a few days later, “I left there with a sunburn on my forehead. I had such a great time. We went back on Sunday and hung out a couple of hours.”
After five years of design and construction, the transformed Tom Lee Park opened. Visitors registered to attend that day, but there was no admittance charge.
There was so much going on, including basketball and volleyball games. There are still open spaces with a great view of the river, and the occasional riverboat.
According to a press release, Tom Lee Day One included a people’s procession, a ribbon cutting and interfaith blessing by the Tennessee Mass Choir, as well as attractions, including a volleyball tournament, yoga, and live music.
Tom Lee Park was developed and is managed by Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that, according to the press release, “stewards the riverfront on behalf of the people of Memphis.” The Partnership manages five connected riverfront park districts of 250 acres of parkland as well as multiple rental and performance facilities. Carol Coletta is president and CEO of MRPP.
“We have some software that we’re able to capture on cellphones that 4,000 adults were there,” says Candace Gray, MRRP publicist. “That does not include children and people who did not have cell phones. We would probably say 6,000.”
She said that public reaction was positive. “It was so great to finally see people in the park and how they used it. We kind of had an idea how they’d use it, but it’s different when you get people in the park and see how they actually use the space.”
Gray says, “Now the park is officially opened, even though the city has not reopened Riverside Drive yet.” She says MRPP doesn’t know when the reopening is scheduled, but, “the biggest thing is we felt the spirit of community that day with people of all ages, all races, different abilities. Everybody was in there and it was so harmonious and just beautiful.”
