Letters from our President Sam Blair
Year end 2022
Another year has flown by and we have a lot to be thankful for like the saving of our Greensward. Mayor Jim Strickland, Matt Thompson CEO at the zoo, OPC and the other 20+ organizations that make up OPA have saved the Greensward and recovered the 17 acres behind rainbow lake for the Old Forest, thank you! Park Friends is paying for the Trex deck at the Golf House with your invaluable support. A special thank you Parks Dixon and Melanie White for the great work regarding the construction and refurbishment of the Golf House. The Old Forest is continually being preserved and maintained with Bill Bullock's invasive removal team and the Trails Elves with HBC Trailworks including John Houseal and the Princess. We could not have done any of these good works without our Park Friends members' support. Thank you everyone again! Sam
April Fools Day 2022
COVID-19 has remained a challenge, and yet we have learned social distancing and better hygiene as a result. Being in the Park's green spaces: Old Forest, Greensward and the Golf Course are havens for all nature lovers allowing all of their activities in a peaceful, safe manner. The value of these green spaces is immeasurable for the current and future generations.
Enjoy these green spaces and thank you so much for the Ladies in Tennis Shoes in 1969 hiring Charlie Newman at Burch Porter & Johnson to litigate against the mighty DOT and TDOT to prevent the route of I-40 through the Old Forest, Greensward and the Park.
Also thank you so much Mayor Strickland, Doug McGowan, the Memphis zoo, OPC, Councilperson Jeff Warren, Overton Park Alliance and all supporters of the Park to solve the zoo parking issues without the loss of the Greensward. In attempts to solve immediate problems we need to remind ourselves of real long term goals like the preservation of icons like Overton Park's Greensward and Old Forest. They are so much more valuable than an Interstate route or parking lot.
Midyear 2021
This 2021 year has also been challenging. Take a moment, commune with nature and enjoy Overton Park's Greensward, the Nature and Limestone Trails in the Old Forest. When you are frustrated by events, relax mentally, exercise physically and enjoy the Old Forest spiritually and emotionally. The HBC Trailworks volunteers have worked consistently to maintain and clear the Trails. At present the Trails are in tiptop shape. Bill Bullock and his tireless volunteers have removed invasive and non-native species from all sections of the Old Forest. Thank Bill and his volunteers for this work which will pay off for generations to come. Overton Park is a salutary sanctuary. Your support of Park Friends is meaningful and we Thank You very much for your support.
Year end 2020
To say the year was challenging is a gross understatement. It was worse than that. The pandemic claimed over 300,000 lives and is still ongoing. One of the ways to maintain sanity is to enjoy nature, exercise and realize how valuable our lives are and how important simple tranquility of the Forest can be. With a clear mind we can deal with the many burdens and challenges we have faced in 2020 and cope with those challenges and other hurdles in the future. Overton Park is a salutary sanctuary. Your support of Park Friends is meaningful and we Thank You very much for your support.
MLK Day 2020
The week before and after this year's Dr. King Holiday was witness to all groups coming together the clear the Limestone and Nature Trails after the devastating storms that knocked down 149 trees in the Old Forest. OPC, Urban Forestry, Park Friends, TDEC, HBC Trailworks and many skilled volunteers cleared the many blocked Trails within just two weeks.
Thank you to our own Bill Bullock and his team for his tireless work removing invasives and exotics from the Old Forest. Thank you Rhodes College and Eric Bridges with OPC for their scientific study of the Old Forest to help manage and protect the Forest. Thank you AmeriCorps for their repeat volunteerism. Thank you very much everyone!
MLK Day 2019
OPC, Hilton, HBC Trailworks worked the Limestone Loop Trail and its wooden foot bridges and they are in great shape. Thank you to the 25 volunteers from Hilton who worked really hard on this sacred National Holiday. HBC Trailworks had 3 volunteer days before MLK and worked the Nature Trails and added limestone to William's Way (formerly known as the Poplar connector) Special thanks to Thomas Woodley, John Fields, Wolfman and John Houseal. The Nature and Limestone Trails are in great shape, take a jog or stroll and enjoy. Thank you very much.
September, 2018
First year students from Rhodes and CBU recently volunteered and performed Limestone and Nature Trail maintenance, worked on the golf course, some of the 1932 Carriage Bridges and wooden foot bridges. Park Friends and OPC say thank you very much to these fine educational institutions and their students for their continued support and volunteerism!
December, 2017
With Hurricane Elvis II over the Memorial Day Weekend, maintenance of the Limestone and Nature Trails was a real challenge in 2017. Park Friends, HBC Trailworks, OPC and a host of volunteers worked tirelessly on bringing the Trails back to great shape. Walk, hike or run the Trails and enjoy the Old Forest.
As always, thank you for your support!
April, 2017
One of our most eager volunteers and dear friend of many people including Pam and me, Lisa Sloan, was severely injured in a car wreck and is in a coma. Lisa always made herself available to volunteer, regardless of the clean-up, Trail maintenance or duties regarding the Mike Cooley Overton Park 10K Trail Race. Lisa is in rehabilitation therapy in Houston Texas at TIRR Memorial Hermann. The person at fault was drag racing along Poplar and hit Lisa at the Park entrance; he has been charged with a felony. We ask that everyone continue sending positive thoughts for Lisa's recovery.
The Trails are in great shape, as a result of countless volunteer hours working the Trails into their best condition for the 6th Annual Mike Cooley Overton Park 10K Trail Race. Mike loved the Trails and would have been proud of the tremendous turn-out for his Race this January.
Phlox and other spring flowers are wonderful this time of year and the Old Forest is green and lush. Please stay on the Trails, the Poison Ivy is strong this year. Also the Trail maintenance has paid an unexpected but very salutary benefit, Oak saplings are growing along the edge of the Trails. With the removal of invasives along the Trails, the Oaks now have a chance, please help us nurture them to maturity.
Several areas in the Old Forest were the focus of invasive eradication this winter, but a lot more work is needed for removal of particularly strong invasives, such as Kudzu, Euonymus, Ivy, Chinese Honeysuckle, Privet, Cherry Laurel, etc. With the Forest in the middle of Memphis, 80 invasive have been identified by TDEC. In cooperation with OPC, TDEC, many companies and volunteers, we have provided trees and assisted in planting trees in "dead zones" and other places in the Park and Forest for the healthy revitalization of the Forest.
As always thank you very much for your support!
Fall, 2016
Over 4 years ago we wrote the letter at the bottom of this page thanking the many volunteers for their hard work on the Limestone and Nature Trails and the collaboration of many organizations. The same, great cooperation occurred again October 15th. The Trails are in even better condition today as a result of continuous, hard work by the volunteers many of which are repeat volunteers. Park Friends, Overton Park Conservancy and HBC Trailworks have worked with many volunteer groups from Rhodes College, University of Memphis, Christian Brothers College, Comcast, Medtronic Sofamor Danek and others. Recently we had another volunteer day and the benefactors were the Limestone and Nature Trails in Overton Park. Of course the volunteers felt a pride in workmanship and accomplishment and well they should.
Volunteers Blair, Wolfman, Barbara G., Barbara B., Linda, Ward, Brooks, Reagan, Andrew, Princess, John, Jr., John, III, Foster, Elizabeth, her brother and father, Jimmy Dean, Eric, Tina, Susannah, Susan, William, Don, Mary, Lee, Mike, OPC, Park Friends, Baker Donelson, HBC Trailworks and many others performed awesome work on the Limestone Trail, the Nature Trails, Foot Bridges, Carriage Bridges and Stone Bridges last Saturday (10/15/16) in Overton Park's SNA Old Forest. THANK YOU!!! Sam
Spring and Summer, 2012
For a very long time Park Friends has worked on the revitalization project for the Limestone Trail in Overton Park. Park Friends’ persistence has paid off. The Limestone Trail Phase 1, Phase 2 and follow-up projects have been completed. Park Friends volunteers, Rhodes College, Overton Park Conservancy, HBC Trailworks, TDEC and the City of Memphis have all collaborated to bring the Limestone Trail project to a successful conclusion.
Volunteer weekends in June and August have completed the work after the initial Phase 1 project was completed in which the asphalt was removed and the limestone was replaced. The volunteer weekends in June and August entailed the installation of 7 bridges, 6 footbridges and a larger bridge over the broken concrete driveway at the Abe Goodman Golf House, work on 4 more footbridges on the Limestone Trail, work on 3 other bridges on the Nature Trails, work on 3 carriage bridges on the Nature Trails and maintenance of the Nature Trails. Fifteen tons of limestone rock has been installed by the volunteers alone.
Ten Park Friends Board members appeared for the volunteer events in June and August and the Limestone Trail is in the best shape that it has been in since it was installed. The Nature Trails are also in tremendous shape in the Old Forest in Overton Park, as a result of many volunteer hours organized by HBC Trailworks.
A very hearty thank you is provided to all of those institutions and of course all of the great volunteers. Thank you very much for your support. Sam
Year end 2022
Another year has flown by and we have a lot to be thankful for like the saving of our Greensward. Mayor Jim Strickland, Matt Thompson CEO at the zoo, OPC and the other 20+ organizations that make up OPA have saved the Greensward and recovered the 17 acres behind rainbow lake for the Old Forest, thank you! Park Friends is paying for the Trex deck at the Golf House with your invaluable support. A special thank you Parks Dixon and Melanie White for the great work regarding the construction and refurbishment of the Golf House. The Old Forest is continually being preserved and maintained with Bill Bullock's invasive removal team and the Trails Elves with HBC Trailworks including John Houseal and the Princess. We could not have done any of these good works without our Park Friends members' support. Thank you everyone again! Sam
April Fools Day 2022
COVID-19 has remained a challenge, and yet we have learned social distancing and better hygiene as a result. Being in the Park's green spaces: Old Forest, Greensward and the Golf Course are havens for all nature lovers allowing all of their activities in a peaceful, safe manner. The value of these green spaces is immeasurable for the current and future generations.
Enjoy these green spaces and thank you so much for the Ladies in Tennis Shoes in 1969 hiring Charlie Newman at Burch Porter & Johnson to litigate against the mighty DOT and TDOT to prevent the route of I-40 through the Old Forest, Greensward and the Park.
Also thank you so much Mayor Strickland, Doug McGowan, the Memphis zoo, OPC, Councilperson Jeff Warren, Overton Park Alliance and all supporters of the Park to solve the zoo parking issues without the loss of the Greensward. In attempts to solve immediate problems we need to remind ourselves of real long term goals like the preservation of icons like Overton Park's Greensward and Old Forest. They are so much more valuable than an Interstate route or parking lot.
Midyear 2021
This 2021 year has also been challenging. Take a moment, commune with nature and enjoy Overton Park's Greensward, the Nature and Limestone Trails in the Old Forest. When you are frustrated by events, relax mentally, exercise physically and enjoy the Old Forest spiritually and emotionally. The HBC Trailworks volunteers have worked consistently to maintain and clear the Trails. At present the Trails are in tiptop shape. Bill Bullock and his tireless volunteers have removed invasive and non-native species from all sections of the Old Forest. Thank Bill and his volunteers for this work which will pay off for generations to come. Overton Park is a salutary sanctuary. Your support of Park Friends is meaningful and we Thank You very much for your support.
Year end 2020
To say the year was challenging is a gross understatement. It was worse than that. The pandemic claimed over 300,000 lives and is still ongoing. One of the ways to maintain sanity is to enjoy nature, exercise and realize how valuable our lives are and how important simple tranquility of the Forest can be. With a clear mind we can deal with the many burdens and challenges we have faced in 2020 and cope with those challenges and other hurdles in the future. Overton Park is a salutary sanctuary. Your support of Park Friends is meaningful and we Thank You very much for your support.
MLK Day 2020
The week before and after this year's Dr. King Holiday was witness to all groups coming together the clear the Limestone and Nature Trails after the devastating storms that knocked down 149 trees in the Old Forest. OPC, Urban Forestry, Park Friends, TDEC, HBC Trailworks and many skilled volunteers cleared the many blocked Trails within just two weeks.
Thank you to our own Bill Bullock and his team for his tireless work removing invasives and exotics from the Old Forest. Thank you Rhodes College and Eric Bridges with OPC for their scientific study of the Old Forest to help manage and protect the Forest. Thank you AmeriCorps for their repeat volunteerism. Thank you very much everyone!
MLK Day 2019
OPC, Hilton, HBC Trailworks worked the Limestone Loop Trail and its wooden foot bridges and they are in great shape. Thank you to the 25 volunteers from Hilton who worked really hard on this sacred National Holiday. HBC Trailworks had 3 volunteer days before MLK and worked the Nature Trails and added limestone to William's Way (formerly known as the Poplar connector) Special thanks to Thomas Woodley, John Fields, Wolfman and John Houseal. The Nature and Limestone Trails are in great shape, take a jog or stroll and enjoy. Thank you very much.
September, 2018
First year students from Rhodes and CBU recently volunteered and performed Limestone and Nature Trail maintenance, worked on the golf course, some of the 1932 Carriage Bridges and wooden foot bridges. Park Friends and OPC say thank you very much to these fine educational institutions and their students for their continued support and volunteerism!
December, 2017
With Hurricane Elvis II over the Memorial Day Weekend, maintenance of the Limestone and Nature Trails was a real challenge in 2017. Park Friends, HBC Trailworks, OPC and a host of volunteers worked tirelessly on bringing the Trails back to great shape. Walk, hike or run the Trails and enjoy the Old Forest.
As always, thank you for your support!
April, 2017
One of our most eager volunteers and dear friend of many people including Pam and me, Lisa Sloan, was severely injured in a car wreck and is in a coma. Lisa always made herself available to volunteer, regardless of the clean-up, Trail maintenance or duties regarding the Mike Cooley Overton Park 10K Trail Race. Lisa is in rehabilitation therapy in Houston Texas at TIRR Memorial Hermann. The person at fault was drag racing along Poplar and hit Lisa at the Park entrance; he has been charged with a felony. We ask that everyone continue sending positive thoughts for Lisa's recovery.
The Trails are in great shape, as a result of countless volunteer hours working the Trails into their best condition for the 6th Annual Mike Cooley Overton Park 10K Trail Race. Mike loved the Trails and would have been proud of the tremendous turn-out for his Race this January.
Phlox and other spring flowers are wonderful this time of year and the Old Forest is green and lush. Please stay on the Trails, the Poison Ivy is strong this year. Also the Trail maintenance has paid an unexpected but very salutary benefit, Oak saplings are growing along the edge of the Trails. With the removal of invasives along the Trails, the Oaks now have a chance, please help us nurture them to maturity.
Several areas in the Old Forest were the focus of invasive eradication this winter, but a lot more work is needed for removal of particularly strong invasives, such as Kudzu, Euonymus, Ivy, Chinese Honeysuckle, Privet, Cherry Laurel, etc. With the Forest in the middle of Memphis, 80 invasive have been identified by TDEC. In cooperation with OPC, TDEC, many companies and volunteers, we have provided trees and assisted in planting trees in "dead zones" and other places in the Park and Forest for the healthy revitalization of the Forest.
As always thank you very much for your support!
Fall, 2016
Over 4 years ago we wrote the letter at the bottom of this page thanking the many volunteers for their hard work on the Limestone and Nature Trails and the collaboration of many organizations. The same, great cooperation occurred again October 15th. The Trails are in even better condition today as a result of continuous, hard work by the volunteers many of which are repeat volunteers. Park Friends, Overton Park Conservancy and HBC Trailworks have worked with many volunteer groups from Rhodes College, University of Memphis, Christian Brothers College, Comcast, Medtronic Sofamor Danek and others. Recently we had another volunteer day and the benefactors were the Limestone and Nature Trails in Overton Park. Of course the volunteers felt a pride in workmanship and accomplishment and well they should.
Volunteers Blair, Wolfman, Barbara G., Barbara B., Linda, Ward, Brooks, Reagan, Andrew, Princess, John, Jr., John, III, Foster, Elizabeth, her brother and father, Jimmy Dean, Eric, Tina, Susannah, Susan, William, Don, Mary, Lee, Mike, OPC, Park Friends, Baker Donelson, HBC Trailworks and many others performed awesome work on the Limestone Trail, the Nature Trails, Foot Bridges, Carriage Bridges and Stone Bridges last Saturday (10/15/16) in Overton Park's SNA Old Forest. THANK YOU!!! Sam
Spring and Summer, 2012
For a very long time Park Friends has worked on the revitalization project for the Limestone Trail in Overton Park. Park Friends’ persistence has paid off. The Limestone Trail Phase 1, Phase 2 and follow-up projects have been completed. Park Friends volunteers, Rhodes College, Overton Park Conservancy, HBC Trailworks, TDEC and the City of Memphis have all collaborated to bring the Limestone Trail project to a successful conclusion.
Volunteer weekends in June and August have completed the work after the initial Phase 1 project was completed in which the asphalt was removed and the limestone was replaced. The volunteer weekends in June and August entailed the installation of 7 bridges, 6 footbridges and a larger bridge over the broken concrete driveway at the Abe Goodman Golf House, work on 4 more footbridges on the Limestone Trail, work on 3 other bridges on the Nature Trails, work on 3 carriage bridges on the Nature Trails and maintenance of the Nature Trails. Fifteen tons of limestone rock has been installed by the volunteers alone.
Ten Park Friends Board members appeared for the volunteer events in June and August and the Limestone Trail is in the best shape that it has been in since it was installed. The Nature Trails are also in tremendous shape in the Old Forest in Overton Park, as a result of many volunteer hours organized by HBC Trailworks.
A very hearty thank you is provided to all of those institutions and of course all of the great volunteers. Thank you very much for your support. Sam
