What comes to mind when you think about Overton Park? Is it the greensward? Rainbow Lake Playground? The Memphis Zoo? Perhaps it’s the Levitt Shell or the Old Forest? There’s so much to admire, appreciate, and discover.
For me — a proud Midtowner coming up on two decades living in the area, filled with its daily hustle and bustle — Overton Park is a refuge of beauty, joy, and wonder. Whether riding through on my bike, taking in a concert, or just chasing my kids around, this escape from urban life is always welcomed — and sometimes, really needed.
Through the frigid temperatures of winter and the muggy heat of summer, Overton Park is a treasure like no other in our city. Positioned beautifully in the center of Midtown and replete with everything from golfing to hiking to just plain playing, it’s no wonder everyone flocks here throughout the year, no matter the season.
While it’s hard for me to say this (I turn 40 this month), I’ve been visiting the park for nearly three decades. As members of the Brooks Museum and Memphis Zoo, our family finds ourselves there in one way or another at least once a week. My daughter Ella was just at the zoo for a field trip last month, and before that, we were enjoying a rare warm winter day walking the paths of the Old Forest.
From the slides to the swings to the tree you can climb through and play hide-and-seek in, Rainbow Playground is unmatched when it comes to play spaces for kids. But don’t get me started on the ropes course. My kids love to climb to the top but don’t quite know how to get down yet. Let’s just say my knees and back are sore just thinking about those imminent rescue missions. Who knows, maybe this year they will figure out how to get down by themselves?
Then there’s the greensward, always abuzz with activities, including soccer, ultimate Frisbee, football, rugby, and more. Sometimes there are jugglers, hula hoopers, and tightrope walkers, too. You never know who or what you’ll see. Overton Park has also become home to countless festivals including A Day of Merrymaking, Latino Memphis Festival, and Palestine Festival.
“Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit Overton Park,” says Tina Sullivan, executive director of the Overton Park Conservancy. “A beautiful place for flying kites, meeting friends at the playground, and riding bikes, the park also boasts one of the best-kept secrets in Memphis — a stunning array of native wildflowers blooming in the Old Forest. Free to all 365 days a year and supported generously by community members, Overton Park is a place to connect with your community while being inspired by the beauty of the natural world.”
My favorite view of the park is sitting directly in front of Rainbow Lake. From this vantage point, the trees behind the lake don’t even look real, especially when they are in full bloom. It’s also a great spot to dog-watch. My girls and I love watching the fearless, stick-fetching pups. Sometimes they go so far out, even when they are completely out of breath — I often wonder if I’m going to have to go in and help a dog back to shore.
Did you know that many Memphians have never been to the park? It’s true; just ask some of your friends and neighbors. I’m always pushing this dialogue because any first-time visitor I’ve heard from, or taken myself, falls in love with it.
“As a fairly new Memphian, Overton Park is just another example of the unexplainable pull Memphis can have on you,” says David French, president of the Memphis Branding Initiative and board chair of the Overton Park Conservancy. “From the wide array of festivals held at the park every year to the quiet solitude one can find there, Overton Park is special in so many ways.”
If you’d like to support Overton Park, visit overtonpark.org/give.
Jeff Hulett is a freelance writer, musician, and PR consultant in Memphis. He lives in the Vollintine Evergreen neighborhood with his wife Annie, two girls Ella and Beatrice, and dog Chalupa. He’s fan of dad jokes.