The first Greening Greater Memphis public meeting was held on February 8, 2007 at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. More than 1000 citizens attended the meeting to show their support for parks and green space in Memphis, and they signed their names to the Greening Greater Memphis Manifesto. Citizens can also sign electronically below.
THE GREENING GREATER MEMPHIS MANIFESTO
WHEREAS, Regions across the U.S. are discovering what the Greater
Memphis area has known from its earliest days – that
quality parks and public spaces are crucial if a city is to achieve its highest potential for its people; and
WHEREAS, Memphis and Shelby County have in their history served as
national models, whether it was in setting aside the riverfront for public use in the early 19th century, laying out a grand network of parks and parkways during the Progressive Era of the early 20th century, or preserving Shelby Farms for parkland three decades ago; and
WHEREAS, As region after region in the U.S. turn to green assets to
differentiate themselves and stake out strong competitive positions and create improved quality of life, they have identified parks, outdoor recreation, and trail projects as bold strategies for their future; building on its history, Greater Memphis should be a leader in these kinds of exciting projects and in unifying its citizens in support of them; and
WHEREAS, Few regions can boast of natural resources that rival ours, and
there is no reason that our community lags behind other areas and is not again a national leader in breakthrough green strategies that offer high-impact, multi-dimensional benefits including health, safety, youth development, economic competitiveness, and civic cohesion; and
WHEREAS, The Greater Memphis area has rich potential for capitalizing on its
assets by exercising renewed leadership to reclaim its reputation as the nation’s leader by realizing the rich potential of signature projects like Shelby Farms Park, Wolf River Greenway, the Greater Memphis Greenline, and neighborhood parks and adopting a green ethos in public policy that characterizes transportation, land use, economic growth, environmental stewardship and health programs; and
WHEREAS, A historic alliance of environmental organizations, neighborhood
groups, and community leaders are joining hands today to launch the Greening Greater Memphis movement that will visualize a future in which the region is again nationally recognized for its vision, that will mount grassroots support for new public funding and leadership, and that will capitalize on our distinctive opportunities; and
THEREFORE, WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, affix our signatures to this historic manifesto as a public acknowledgement of our personal, organizational, and collective commitment to this movement for Greater Memphis, and as the beginning of a continuing process that ultimately results in our region becoming the U.S. leader in parks, parkland, trails, and outdoor recreation.
To be signed February 8, 2007:
Green is the new black!
Comment by Jen Andrews — February 9, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
Can’t wait……the plans all sound so wonderful!
Comment by Karen Focht — February 9, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
Please sign me onto the manifesto. This is wonderful!
Comment by Sarah Ledbetter — February 9, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
[...] Now, my loyal readers, we cannot lose our momentum. Please visit http://greeninggreatermemphis.com/?page_id=8 and sign the Manifesto. If you couldn’t attend the event, you can still sign to voice your support of green spaces in Memphis. [...]
Pingback by Shelby Farms Park Alliance » Message Received, Loud and Clear — February 9, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
I am signing my name to the manifesto.
Comment by David S. Winestone — February 9, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
Great tournout for a great cuase.
hope the elected officials in attendace will take the message with them back to thier city councils, county commisions and parks departments.
Thanks to all who attend and all who are working to grow greenways in our city.
Comment by Greg Maxted — February 9, 2007 @ 11:00 pm
Now we have a really big hope for a better (and greener) future.
Comment by RAFAEL FIGUEROA — February 10, 2007 @ 9:37 am
Thursday night’s meeting was the most exciting public event we’ve attended since moving to this area from Florida in 1984. We lived in Memphis for several years but eventually moved to Fisherville in Fayette County. Among the things that attracted us to living out here are the quieter, safer roads for cycling. If a rail trail and a system of greenways had existed several years ago, we would probably still live in Shelby County. We work at CBHS and would love to travel to Shelby Farms by bicycle or on foot after school. The energy and commitment from so many groups and individuals to implement these plans make us think we could live in Shelby County again some day. We have seen wonderful rail trails, parks, and greenways in other parts of the country. It’s time for Memphis and Shelby County to develop a system of green places for its citizens. We will support these efforts with enthusiasm.
Comment by Marilynn & Bill Weedon — February 10, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
I was there ! just could not get to the manifesto to sign it that night. It was a wonderful event and I am amazed that it got no press coverage. I have been to many public events and hearings and never seen this many people.
Comment by Caroline Barnett — February 10, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
I attended the event Thursday night, but was unable to get to the manifesto to sign it because it was too crowded. What a great problem! I was very encouraged by the great turnout and hope we can keep up the momemtum. I hope submitting this comment counts me as a signer to the manifesto.
Comment by Madeleine Edwards — February 10, 2007 @ 5:24 pm
Great Event- Well done! I was very disappoint by the lack of our local media for not covering this event- did not sign the manifesto due to the crowd and having to leave @ 7 15
Comment by Steve Priddy — February 12, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Manifesto me in…sounds great.
Comment by Scott Walker — February 13, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
Plans look super! We need this badly–perhaps can change the image and reality of not being an especially healthy city. Thanks for everything so far!
Comment by Sam White — February 13, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Let’s get this and the sooner the better!
Comment by rebecca priddy — February 14, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
Great Crowd….a well organized event. I am encouraged. I sure would like to see the linear park plan substantially completed (at least) in my lifetime.
Thanks for your hard work.
Comment by Rob Hunter — February 15, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
I was in attendance at the actual event and receive the chance to sign the actual manifesto, but I still want to sign the online one too just to show how strong the youth alliance feels about the importance of these greeenways!
Comment by Branden Asemah- Shelby Farms Youth Alliance President — February 15, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
Go GREEN!
Comment by Deanna Green — February 16, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
Let’s do this!
Comment by Raymond Lynn Green Jr — February 16, 2007 @ 10:50 pm
Adding my name to the manifesto.
Comment by Suzette LaTouche — February 16, 2007 @ 11:27 pm
Couldn’t make the event, but would still like to support efforts to “green” Memphis. We don’t have to remain one of the unhealthiest cities in the country!
Comment by Nicole Heckman — February 17, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Like so many others, I too was at the event last week but could not sign the Manifesto at that time. Please add my signature now. This is the most exciting community development I have seen since moving here 24 years ago.
Comment by Kathy Story — February 17, 2007 @ 11:34 pm
I’m so pleased to finally see some planning for bike and pedestrian accessible green ways.. I don’t understand why it wasn’t better covered by the local press. It seems that they are more than ready to publish the negative things in the city but certainly not ready to back agendas which could bring the city and county together for the betterment of all the above.
Sign me on the manifesto. I was @ the meeting but there were so many people I am signing online
Comment by r.ita hilgenhold — February 18, 2007 @ 6:40 pm
Add my name to the manifesto.
Comment by linda morris` — February 18, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
What a great event. I moved to Memphis from Minneapolis, so I know how rails-to-trails, greenways and linear parks can transform an area, its commerce, and most importantly, its people. The crowd prevented me from physically signing the manifesto…consider this my online “John Hancock.”
Comment by Brian Janz — February 19, 2007 @ 9:52 am
Here is my signature to the manifesto, which I did not have time (or space) to leave in person at the meeting!
Comment by Karen Gregg Elliott — February 19, 2007 @ 10:44 am
I remain hopeful for the protection of Shelby Farms in it’s entirety. Where can I get a SAVE SHELBY FARMS bumbersticker?
Comment by Dixie Lomax — February 22, 2007 @ 8:50 am
We couldn’t reach the petition to sign it, as well!
Please add our names to the list of signatures obtained.
Thank you!
Comment by Sam Long and Brian Harwell — March 15, 2007 @ 7:19 am
Add my name to the manifesto!
Comment by Wendy Sumner-Winter — April 3, 2007 @ 11:34 am
Sign me up.
Comment by Randy Parker — April 15, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
Was there in february. Am also signing on line.
Comment by ann schultz — April 22, 2007 @ 2:12 am