MEMPHIS, Tenn. –The Overton Park Conservancy is asking for your help.
They’re trying to raise one million dollars in about two months.
They say if that happens the bitter battle between the zoo and those who support the Greensward at Overton Park could be put to rest.
The battle between the two city landmarks has been embedded in the news for the last few years—supporters of the Greensward wanting the Zoo to find other parking beyond the grass in Overton Park.
Earlier this week City Council said the two parties need to come up with a million bucks to build a parking lot.
For Hunter Demster with Preserve Overton Park, Graceland, Beale Street, and the Memphis riverfront aren`t the only jewels in the city`s crown.
“You can come out here any day and see every race, every religion, you know enjoying. One of the only places to do that, enjoy nature within our city,” he said.
He’s talking about the The Greensward at Overton Park.
Each year thousands visit the Memphis Zoo to enjoy a different kind of nature and they need somewhere to park.
While there has been a lot of back and forth about who is responsible for what, this week the city council made some decisions regarding a parking resolution between the two parties.
They made parking space sizes smaller—preserving up to an acre of the Greensward—and for upcoming construction both groups have to have the construction funding upfront before the design phase.
That means each has to come up with $1 million in the next two months.
The conservancy and Greensward supporters believe it can be done.
The group got a big boost Wednesday from an anonymous donor, who pledged to match up to $25,000 in donations given during April.
They are taking donations online.
