Celebrating 125 years of Overton Park

On this day 125 years ago, the City of Memphis paid $110,000 to Overton Lea for the land that would soon become Overton Park. The City of Memphis was rebuilding after a devastating yellow fever epidemic, and a newly-created Park Commission wanted to give Memphians a place for outdoor recreation. Originally referred to as East Park, Overton Park was at the eastern outskirts of the city and would soon become connected to Riverside Park by the parkway system we still use today. Within a year, the park had a pavilion, bridges, and a baseball field, and visitors were arriving via streetcar to stroll in the woods or play on the Greensward.

Overton Park has seen generations of Memphis life since that day in November 1901. This year alone, 1.5 million visits have been recorded! That`s so many hours spent connecting with nature, experiencing art and music, running with friends, and relaxing in the sunshine. Overton Park Conservancy is honored to care for this park so that in 125 years, Memphians will still have it as a place to cherish.

Will you help celebrate this milestone with us? A generous donor will match all gifts up to $125,000 through the end of this year, so any gift you make between now and December 31 will be doubled! We invite you to consider a gift of $125 (or a monthly gift of $12.50) in honor of 125 years. Help us protect this park and its priceless old-growth forest for the future. Make your donation at the link in our bio. ...

Does a lunchtime walk amid the gorgeous fall colors of the Old Forest sound like just what you need? Leave it to us! Join Overton Park Conservancy this Thursday, November 19 at noon for a Third Thursday Trek focused on the changing season. We`ll talk about the science behind why leaves change color and why some years are especially spectacular. Get tickets at the link in our bio. ...

It`s time for the final two Songbird Strolls of the season! Overton Park Conservancy and Wild Birds Unlimited Memphis invite birders of all levels to join us for free walks in the Old Forest on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 21 at 8:00 AM. We`ll meet at East Parkway Pavilion and take a stroll to look and listen for winter residents like white-throated sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, and yellow-rumped warblers. Bring your own binoculars or borrow some from us! ...

`Tis the season for crunching leaves, hopping robins, and colorful mushrooms! Next Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 PM, join us at Overton Park for this month`s edition of Kids` Curiosity Crew, where we`ll explore all that autumn brings to the Old Forest. Registration is available at the link in our bio. ...

Thanks to @artsmemphis and @tennesseeartscommission`s Arts Build Communities grant, we are excited to continue offering senior nature journaling courses in Overton Park throughout the winter! Free indoor classes will be held on the first Thursday of each month, with expanded offerings in the springtime. We`re so grateful for the opportunity to connect our community to nature and their own creativity thanks to this award! ...