Tom Lee Park construction is expected to begin in June. The aim is to provide a better connection between the river and the city, restore natural ecology, and add a number of public facilities. These will include areas for education, sports, recreation, play and events, alongside amenities like a cafe, lockers, storage and bathrooms.
"The new Tom Lee Park will be a civic space for everyone in Memphis to enjoy."
Studio Gang founder Jeanne Gang in a statement.
The stretch of multiple parks with Tom Lee in the middle “is unlike any waterfront opportunity in the country — probably in the world. We have wide open spaces of Tom Lee Park right now, so we’re really interested in how we make a vibrant gathering space that’s exciting, that can have active recreation, but also give you great views of the river.”
Gia Biagi, principal of urbanism and civic impact with Studio Gang.
Four zones
Tom Lee Park’s 30 acres have been reimagined in four distinct zones inspired by features of the Mississippi River Basin.
The Gateway: A connection linking downtown Memphis to the riverfront will create a pathway down the bluff from Beale Street, welcoming visitors in an entry plaza that can accommodate public gatherings, art installations and festival tents.
The Riffle: The park’s central zone is “modeled after the pattern of river water flowing over stones.” It includes areas for relaxation and play, shaded activity courts, overlooks of the river and “eco-ledges” to get people closer to the water.
The Pool: Open lawns will act as the park’s anchors for field activities and large events, including the Beale Street Music Festival.
The Tailout: The southern end of the park offers recreation paths that lead through a wilder landscape to an outdoor learning and play area. A large outdoor classroom will host science, technology, engineering and math programs with a scientist-in-residence. A habitat tower will have space for birds to nest, also allowing guests to gather and feel “as if they’re hovering above the Mississippi.
"Instead of a hard edge on the river, the redesign will offer soft ecological landscape from walkways down to the water. What we're bringing to you is much more a hybrid of city and literally the ecosystem of the riverfront." Kate Orff, founder of SCAPE.
"We've designed the architecture to float in the landscape like vessels on the river, creating a park that uniquely reflects the changing nature of the Mississippi River and the city along its banks"
Jeanne Gang
Remembering Tom Lee
The engagement center also emphasizes the history of the park’s namesake, the heroic black Memphian who saved victims of a capsized steamer, despite the fact that he could not swim.
On Friday, two descendants of Tom Lee gathered with city officials, donors and others to hear about the plans for a new Tom Lee Park.
The new park will create easier access to the 2006 statue of Tom Lee rescuing someone from the water.
Charmeal Neely, who is Lee’s great-niece, said the increased emphasis on the statue and closer proximity to the river will better embody the story of Lee’s heroism.
The overhaul of Tom Lee Park forms part of a wider masterplan designed by Studio Gang, for a site extending six miles along the waterfront.
"After hearing from more than 4,000 residents and visitors, and learning from more than 100 years of riverfront planning, we're thrilled to share a design direction that Memphians can call theirs."
Partnership CEO and president Carol Coletta.
Slated for completion in 2020, the Tom Lee Park redevelopment forms part of Studio Gang's Memphis Riverfront Concept. The masterplan will overhaul six miles of the city's Mississippi riverfront into bustling public spaces, with other areas including Fourth Bluff, Mud Island, MLK Park and Greenbelt Park.
