MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – MemphisPark, on Front Street and Court Avenue, is planned to have an addition oftrees, plants, patio seating, and picnic tables.
The plan for the park will be reviewed Wednesdayby the Downtown Memphis Commission Design Review Board and will likely beapproved.
The park, formerly known as Confederate Park,is in the heart of downtown Memphis and used to be the home of the statue ofConfederate President Jefferson Davis.
The statue, along with war cannons, wereremoved from the park in 2017.
Van Turner, Shelby County Commission chairmanand Memphis Greenspace president, said he wants the park to be more inclusiveto the community.
“We’ve done a lot to give the park a newlook, refresh it, make it open and accessible to all Shelby Countians andMemphians,” Turner said.
Turner said the removal of the statue and thewar cannons were important steps in revitalizing the space.
“We can’t progress as long as we live inthe past,” Turner said.
George Abbott, Executive Director of ExternalAffairs for Memphis River Parks Partnership, said the park will feature a“neutral vibe” to welcome all people.
“You can look at this park and this parkfeels like things are missing,” Abbott said.
Abbott said the park will also feature walkingpaths that will help lead people toward the river walk. Memphis River ParksPartnership said it wants Memphis Park to complement its other park across theriver on Mud Island.
“It grew up over time around thesemonuments and statues,” Abbott said. “Now that the statues are gone,what these changes will do is kind of restore the park back to be very naturaland beautiful and essentially a neutral site for people to enjoy.”
Memphis River Park Partnership said it hopes tocomplete the additions to the park by the end of the summer. Turner also saidthe remaining remnants of Confederate Park, such as a plaque and a bench, willeventually be removed as well.
To check out the full plan for the park, click here.