It was February 8, 2007, when it became clear that there was an unfulfilled desire for green assets in Memphis.
On that night, an overflow crowd of more than 1,000 people crammed into Hardin Hall and beyond at Memphis Botanic Garden as a show of support for te Greening Greater Memphis Manifesto, a document heralding the dawn of a new green ethos for our community.  Its centerpiece was the concept developed by several people of a network that connected Shelby Farms Park, Wolf River Greenway, Shelby Farms Greenline, and the downtown riverfront into one seamless “green necklace.”

The promise of that night became reality on October 5 last year when the 6.5-mile Shelby Farms Greenline opened to thousands of eager walkers, runners, and cyclists. The “rails to trails” project was made possible by $7 million in financial support to purchase the right-of-way and construct the trail.  Funding came from the federal and county governments and private sources, including Hyde Family Foundations.  

Shelby County Government handled construction which began Feb. 11, 2010.  Shelby Farms Park Conservancy is responsible for the operating costs of the Greenline.

“Shelby Farms Park matters most if it matters to the most of us,” said Laura Adams, executive director of Shelby Farms Park Conservancy.  “That is why Shelby Farms Park Conservancy stepped up to develop and manage the Shelby Farms Greenline.  We view the Greenline not only as a vital connector between the core of the city and Shelby Farms Park, we consider the trail as part of the Park itself.” 

Before the construction of the Greenline, it was nearly impossible to bike or run safely into the Park, she said, but when coupled with the Wolf River Pedestrian Bridge, which connects to the Wolf River Greenway trail, now hundreds of visitors to the park are entering through the two gateways.  Click here to read the full profile.