Tom Lee Park in Memphis is a gem for both locals and visitors. Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River, this 30-acre park offers breathtaking views and a variety of activities for everyone.
One of the most striking features is the park’s beautiful landscape. The wide, open green spaces are perfect for picnics, flying kites, or simply lounging with a good book. The park's design encourages both relaxation and active play, with plenty of room for families to spread out and enjoy themselves.
The riverside location is ideal for a scenic walk or run, with well-maintained pathways that offer stunning views of the river and the Memphis skyline. It's particularly beautiful at sunset when the sky is painted with vibrant colors and the city lights start to twinkle.
Tom Lee Park is also home to numerous events and festivals throughout the year. The annual Memphis in May International Festival, including the Beale Street Music Festival and the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, are held here and draw huge crowds. These events bring an incredible energy to the park, filling it with music, laughter, and the mouth-watering smell of barbecue.
For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the park offers plenty of options. There are areas for playing frisbee, soccer, and other sports. The recent renovations have added new features like a fitness trail and shaded areas, making it even more enjoyable to spend the entire day here.
Families will appreciate the playgrounds and splash pads, which are a hit with kids. The playground equipment is modern and safe, and the splash pads are perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.
The park also pays tribute to its namesake, Tom Lee, an African American riverworker who heroically saved 32 people from drowning in a 1925 steamboat accident. A striking bronze statue stands in his honor, serving as a powerful reminder of his bravery and the park's historical significance.
Moreover, the park's location makes it a convenient spot for visitors to explore other Memphis attractions. It's just a short walk to Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and other downtown landmarks.
Overall, Tom Lee Park is a fantastic destination for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors, participate in exciting events, or simply take in the beauty of the Mississippi River. It’s a vital part of Memphis’ community and culture, offering something for everyone and ensuring memorable experiences...
Read moreI can't possibly give more than a 2-star review of this epic Memphis failure. It seems like the revamped park came with very few considerations for persons with mobility limitations, particularly wheelchair users like me. I've tried several times to get out to enjoy the park, but the sincere lack of planning by the city and park developers left a huge gap - parking. The once 200+ space parking lot was replaced by only about 65 spaces that remain occupied by [whoever] most days of the week and for most, if not all, events.
The handicapped parking that is available is on the street and offers no safe room for me to load/unload my wheelchair. The marginal amount of spaces leaves me no choice but to avoid the park at all costs. It was a huge time waste for me to prepare for an outing there only to be thwarted by zero safe spaces upon arrival.
Thanks, City of Memphis, for again failing to accommodate a significant constituency and show no signs of...
Read moreTerrific Outdoor Moments Lee Park: SSWF, this is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and the gorgeous MS River. This isn't just a park, it is a place for opportunities. Opportunities to mix and mingle with other outdoor minded people and to make new acquaintances during the many events held at the location. The breathtaking view of the river alone is a great reason to visit it but there's more: outdoor picnicking, walking/run trail, sight-seeing, and the sponsored events held at the park, i.e. the Memphis in May Music Festival in the summer, the Independence Day Celebration fireworks...and so much more! For me on this day it was a chance to capture the beautiful winter sunset and enjoy the back drop and sounds of the river waves softly slapping up against the banks...don't let the weather be a deal breaker for you...enjoy the outdoors but bundle up as you walk, run or...
Read more