MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tuesday, the Memphis City Council gave the Memphis Zoo control of part of the Greensward area to use as overflow parking, though mediation will continue.
The vote was 11-1 and only happened after control of Rainbow Lake and the playground was removed from the agreement.
The council will also approve the removal of trees from the area.
Bill Morrison was not there to vote and Martavius Jones opposed the move.
Part of the grassy area is used an average of 65 days a year for overflow parking.
The Overton Park Conservancy has argued the zoo should not be parking on that area, and doing so reduces the enjoyment of park goers.
Dr. Chuck Brady of the Memphis Zoo explained in a statement the zoo will use a small portion of the Greenward as a last resort for parking needs.
“We hope to continue to work toward a resolution to this issue that is in the best interest of the community as a whole,” he said.
While the zoo now has control, Brady said he still plans to continue with mediation with the Overton Park Conservancy, “toward a resolution to this issue that is in the best interest of the community as a whole.”
About 20 people opposing the move showed up to the city council meeting and urged the council to hold off on the vote.
The Overton Park Conservancy has been working with planners to come up with suggestions such as a parking garage and shuttles from Overton Square.
Mayor Jim Strickland said ultimately the council had ultimate say over the issue, not him.
“While this resolves the Greensward, we remain committed to the future and what’s best for all users of Overton Park, which has other parking and use issues,” he said in a statement. “It remains in the best interest of the community that the Memphis Zoo and Overton Park Conservancy move forward with mediation to come up with plans for Overton Park for the benefit of all of our citizens.”
Strickland could have vetoed the resolution, but the council had enough votes to overturn that veto.
Brady said parking on the grass at the Greensward was not ideal, but allowed visitors to still be able to enjoy the zoo even when the paved lot is full.
The Zoo and those involved with Overton Park will work together to reach a long-term solution that works for everyone, Brady said.
Strickland also added the following statement:
While I would have preferred for mediation to solve all of the issues at play, the Memphis City Council, which has authority over city-owned property, spoke today on Overton Park. While this resolves the Greensward, we remain committed to the future and what’s best for all users of Overton Park, which has other parking and use issues. It remains in the best interest of the community that the Memphis Zoo and Overton Park Conservancy move forward with mediation to come up with plans for Overton Park for the benefit of all of our citizens.
I also hope that in the coming months and years, we place as much emphasis on crime, blight, litter, creating jobs, minority and women-owned business development, and the significant financial issues in front of us as has been placed on this issue.
Here is the full statement from Chuck Brady:
We appreciate the City Council for recognizing the Memphis Zoo’s importance to Mid-South tourism and our contributions to the community. We hope to continue to work toward a resolution to this issue that is in the best interest of the community as a whole.
As requested by Mayor Strickland, the Zoo will continue mediation and limit parking to a small portion of the greensward in order to provide access to the thousands of people from Memphis and beyond who visit our Zoo every day. As we always have, the Zoo will continue to utilize all other options before beginning to direct cars to this area.
We are glad that the families who enjoy the Zoo will not be turned away simply because of a lack of available parking. We understand that parking on grass is not optimal, and we are certainly open to exploring alternatives in the long-term as long as they are financially responsible, feasible and make sense for everyone involved – including our visitors.
The Zoo will continue to work with all entities involved in the management and upkeep of Overton Park to make sure it is enjoyable and open to people from across the Mid-South and beyond.
Dr. Chuck Brady
Memphis Zoological Society