MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After an often heated and decades long battle over the Memphis Zoo’s use of the grassy area for overflow parking, the City Council gave its blessing this week to a Greensward compromise plan.
It’s a plan that has the support of both the Overton Park Conservancy and the Memphis Zoo.
“So each side had to make some concessions and I think we will be fine as for the zoo,” said Zoo President and CEO Chuck Brady.
“Unfortunately, we were parking on grass, the Greensward, which was contentious to park neighbors. We like a solution that preserves the access to the park and the zoo for all visitors and guests,” he added.
In a statement emailed to WREG from the Overton Park Conservancy, Executive Director Tina Sullivan said “The Conservancy is pleased that working together we have found a solution that will work for everyone.”
Brady said he’s glad the dispute has been settled especially for visitors.
“The zoo visitors have been subjected to some pretty hard conditions when they come to the zoo with protesters taunting them. It’s not good for families visiting the zoo and we hope to put that behind us.”
The City Council plan was modified a little from the one pushed by Mayor Jim Strickland.
It will expand the Zoo’s parking lot and Prentiss Place parking lot by 415 spaces.
The Overton Park Conservancy said the issue has brought to the forefront the importance of our city’s wonderful public amenities and out need to protest them for future generations.
Zoo visitors will be allowed to park on the Greensward while construction is underway.
The project should be finished by 2019.
