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This week, we cut the ribbon on the newly redesigned MLK Reflection Park in downtown Memphis. The park originally opened in 2018 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination, and this week, we unveiled the newly restored and redesigned space. Big thanks go to MLGW, Summit Design Group, our Parks Staff, and the Withers Gallery and family.
At 0.6 acres or roughly 26,000 square feet, MLK Reflections Park is one of the ten smallest parks in our Memphis Parks system by size. But its scope is monumental, as it is dedicated to the tireless efforts of Dr. King to bring peace and love to all.
 MLK Reflection Park - click image, or here, to see more.
In 1967, Dr. King said these words, “I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear…” he said, “I have decided to stick with love, for I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems.”
I think this is the perfect moment in Memphis’ history to remember those words.
The time is right for us to stop speaking negatively and with hate. It is time for us to speak love and life into our community.
The renewal of this park—this sacred reflection point in the middle of our downtown core—is a perfect reminder for us to share and commit to that message. The park is now complete with beautiful landscaping and poignant photos from the Ernest Withers Collection that serve the space and its intent. And it stands to remind us all that LOVE is always the answer—love for each other, and love for our city.
And with that love comes the need for kinder words about our city, our community, and our neighbors. Dr. King said, “You may have the eloquence of articulate speech, but if you have not love, it means nothing.” And I want us all to really hear that.
We need to use our words, our eloquence, and our collective voices to share what is positive and good about our community. Let’s allow this park and this moment to redirect us. To allow us to align with the common goal of creating a positive narrative centered around love for our community.
Let’s use our eloquence to share the Memphis narrative we want the world to know. Let’s reinforce the narrative that the largest majority-black city in America is also the most innovative, welcoming, and talented city. And let’s let MLK Reflection Park remind us to reflect on those things we can be truly proud of, like the park itself and the Parks system we operate.
 And with that, let me share some amazing facts about our greater Memphis Parks system, with a big thanks to Director Nick Walker, Deputy Director Marcha Allen, and all of the 245 parks employees.
- The City of Memphis operates 162 parks & greenspaces with 245 full-time staff (that staff number climbs to nearly 500 in the summer peak season)
- Our parks occupy more than 5000 acres of land, and
- We welcome more than 1,500,000 visitors annually
 The system includes:
- 19 neighborhood centers
- 7 regional sites
- 5 senior centers
- 1 center for the developmentally disabled.
- 16 pools (4 indoor pools& 12outdoor)
- 6 splash pads and counting! (Douglass and Audubon coming soon)
- 7 golf courses
- 7 tennis facilities
- 4 dog parks
- 2 skate parks, and
- Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
 We host over 50 programs and special events annually, including:
- Summer Camp
- Ultimate Game Day
- Summer Camp Closing Show & Backpack Giveaway
- Play Your Park Summer Program
- Spring Break Camp
- Spring Break Mane
- Fall Break Camp
- Parks Got Stars
- Harvest Festival
- Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest
- Movies in the Park
- Yoga in the Park
- Poetry in the Park
- Santa in the Park
- Date Night in the Park
- Senior Round-Up
- Senior Sneaker Ball
- Good Friday Basketball Tournament & Easter Egg Hunt
- Family Fun Fridays
- Liberty for All
- Black History Oratorical Gala
Check out a few of our past Parks Programs & Initiatives
Spring Break Mane
Hip Hop Aerobics
Date Night in the Park
Good Friday Basketball Tournament
Play Your Park - Howl-O-Ween
Memphis Parks recently held spring break camp at 25 locations, with nearly 800 youth registered.
AND we are currently filling 2,200 summer camp slots. Parents interested in registering their Child(ren) can do so by visiting https://memphisparks.com/events/.
Plan your weekend now! Liberty Stadium is Central to Everything - including USFL Football! The @uflshowboats return to @sblibertystad in Liberty Park THIS Saturday for the season home opener! Follow Skipper around campus as he revisits his stomping grounds. Click the image to learn more!
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