Mission

Memphis River Parks Partnership is a nonprofit 5O1(c)(3) public-private partnership that works with and for the people of Memphis to trigger the transformative power of our river.

IN 2O17, MAYOR jim STRICKLAND AND THE CITY OF MEMPHIS
CREATED A TASK FORCE TO REINVIGORATE THE RIVERFRONT.

That task force commissioned Studio Gang to develop a concept for the transformation of six miles of mostly underused river parks into a connected network of beautiful, natural public spaces that would reconnect Memphians with their river. More than 4,OOO Memphians were engaged in the development of the Memphis Riverfront Concept. Work to execute the Concept started quickly with the reinvention of two former-Confederate-named parks, now River Garden and Fourth Bluff Park, completed in 2O18 and 2O19. The River Line—a five-mile walking and biking trail that connects all river parks—opened in 2O18. The most visible and accessible riverfront park in Memphis—Tom Lee Park—was next.

The centerpiece for the reimagined riverfront was decided to be the transformation of 30-acre Tom Lee Park, named for a Black river worker who could not swim but saved 32 people from drowning in the Mississippi River currents when a steamboat overturned. It was decided early on that a principle design priority for this new park was equity and it would celebrate the heroism of Mr. Lee and his values of courage, generosity, and humanity. Groundbreaking was 2020 and the park opened Labor Day 2023. It has received 10 national and international awards and extensive national media coverage.