Don’t look now, but the years-long debate about overflow zoo parking on Overton Park’s Greensward may finally be over.
The final compromise, released Thursday afternoon, moves the main entrance to the parking lot and a driving aisle north. It also converts 2.4 acres of park land into parking.
In return, a third of the greensward goes back to the Overton Park Conservancy.
The deal creates 415 new parking spaces and adds a berm with vegetation between the parking lot and Greensward. Nearly 200 trees will be removed, but approximately 150 trees will be relocated or newly planted. When the project is completed OPC will restore the remainder of the Greensward.
“It feels like a milestone to go through so much compromise and negotiation and to get to a point where you feel good about the solution. Now we can look at practical considerations like construction costs and what goes into doing the implementation,” said Tina Sullivan, Overton Park Conservancy Executive Director.
Sullivan added giving up park land was a painful part of the compromise but believes restoring the remainder of the Greensward is important along with planning for the entire park, referring to the mayor’s administration’s intent to return the southeast corner of Overton Park to the Conservancy.
Memphis Zoo released a statement saying:
“Memphis Zoo has always been optimistic that the parking issue would be resolved and today’s plan from the Mayor illustrates that. Although there was much compromise from those involved, the result is one that addresses concerns from Zoo guests, which has been our primary focus.
We look forward to the continued partnership between the City of Memphis and the OPC to bring the plan alive.”
“It’s bittersweet. Like I said I’m grateful to the mayor for moving the ring road north. I wish the parking the size of the lot had been reduced. I wish the size of the parking lot had been reduced a little bit, but I understand this is a complicated problem. There are many aspects that are not visible to the public, and so I’m grateful for the efforts to improve it over the prior plan,” said Eric Gottlieb lives close to Overton Park and has been following the parking issue closely.
The mayor’s administration also announced their intent to move the current General Services area in the southeast corner of the park around 2020. The move would add an additional 13 acres of parkland to Overton Park. The land would be shaped by a master plan the City of Memphis and OPC are working on.
Construction could start in November.
