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Located in Mid Town Memphis, Overton park is a 342 acre gem. Established in 1902, this park is one of the rare local parks which predates the establishment of the State Park System and even predates the general enabling authority for Tennessee cities to have parks. Designed by George Kessler, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The park is well known as the venue for the Memphis Zoo and the Brooks Museum of Art. Also within the park boundaries is the 125 acre Old Forest State Natural Area.
Overton Park was also the subject of a landmark US Supreme Court decision which protected the park from the encroachment of planned route for Interstate 40.
The park has recently been awarded significant funding which will allow for the expansion of the protected forest preserve and new hiking trails.
We talk today with Melissa McMasters and Eric Bridges from the Overton Park Conservancy. The Conservancy is a not for profit organization charged with overall management of the park.