For two generations now, Memphians have been participating in the city’s oldest footrace–the Overton Park Five Mile Classic. Started in 1974 by University of Memphis high jumper Don Greer and several of his fraternity brothers, the race was originally a way for high school and
For Valerie and Dean Hornbeak, a dream that started four years ago came true this summer on the Overton Park Greensward. After planning, stocking up on equipment, and creating an immediately recognizable brand, they opened their Brisket in a Basket food truck and set up
For Overton Park Conservancy board member Melanie White, the park has been a place to become part of a family. After moving to Memphis from San Francisco in 1985, Melanie sought to reclaim all the time she’d spent commuting. She settled in Central Gardens and
When Tomy’Ra Lowe’s son was born in 2009 with a severe congenital heart defect, her family began running a gauntlet of major surgeries, extended hospital stays, and fear for his future. Even after he was able to return home, she couldn’t shake the feeling that
Overton Park has been central to the artistic life of the city since Brooks Museum opened its doors more than 100 years ago. To honor that legacy, the Conservancy engages local artists to design everything from sculptural gateways to t-shirts. For our 2019 shirts, we
“In the early 2000s, you could not go 100 feet on the Old Forest trails before having to crawl through a blockage. It was that overgrown with brush.” Sam Blair remembers an Old Forest that was far less welcoming than it is today. An attorney
Romney Grandi shared these photos of her family enjoying the snow in Overton Park. These were taken in 1958 near hole #5 of the golf course. Romney (wearing the light-colored hat) sledded through the park with her brother Michael, sister Sharon, and dad Elmo. This
We recently shared Shirley Tyus’ recollections of Overton Park. One of Shirley’s closest friends since age nine was Lina Farley Rhodes, with whom she grew up performing at Rainbow Lake and the Overton Park Shell. Lina was a WAC in WWII and often took her
Shirley Virginia Larry Tyus was born on January 2, 1917 and has a lifetime of memories of Overton Park. We are so thrilled that she shared some of them with us at the Overton Park Stories event at the Memphis & Shelby County Room this
Terry Starr has a wealth of stories about growing up near Overton Park. Later in her life, the park also brought her some special magic in the form of a treasured friendship. We’re so fortunate that she chose to share those stories with us. I’m
