City to spend nearly $3M renovating Midtown park

By Jody Callahan – Daily Memphian

November 10, 2024

If you’re a regular user of Glenview Park on the border between that historic neighborhood and Midtown, you might notice a few changes in the coming months designed to enhance the park experience.

When all the work is complete, the City of Memphis will have spent close to $3 million to refurbish the 24-acre park just off Lamar Avenue that has served the Glenview community for more than 75 years with its tennis courts, pavilion, baseball field, playground, walking paths and community center.

“Glenview is a good example of what we’ve been doing in the city for probably the last seven or eight years, which is trying to focus our efforts on making the stuff we have nicer,” Memphis Parks Director Nick Walker said.

Walker said the work includes several facets, including building a new pavilion deeper in the park, away from the current pavilion near the entrance off Lamar Avenue. The pavilion will be a large structure with a concrete pad and picnic tables, and the project will also include replacing worn-out benches and adding more garbage cans. Work has not yet started, but costs are estimated at $1,528,786.76.

“It’s to have some activation on the west side of Glenview Park because, other than the walking trail and the old baseball diamond, there’s not much activity on that side,” Walker said.

Another part of the project is resurfacing the two outdoor tennis courts as part of a 10-year plan to update all park tennis courts citywide. That work should be completed soon.

“Most of the time, because it’s been so long since the city of Memphis did this, we have to demolish the old concrete and pour new surfaces before repainting,” Walker said. “Those tennis courts have been there for probably 40 years.”

Renovations also include improvements to the park’s community center, which features a workout space, basketball gym and meeting rooms. Updates include a new HVAC system, roof repairs, window work, front desk improvements and landscaping. Some work is complete, while roof repairs are ongoing. This portion costs $1,149,742.15.

Repaving the walking trails cost $103,550 and was completed last November. Replacing the fitness room floor and adding new equipment was finished in spring 2023 for $60,000. Screening and recoating the basketball floor cost $2,377.60 and was completed in August 2023.

City officials estimate the total project cost will exceed $2.8 million.

Memphis City Council member Jana Swearengen-Washington, who used the park as a child, has supported the renovations.

“I remember how wonderful it was for children to play ball, use the swings and for families to come together. We want to continue providing spaces where the community can enjoy a family environment,” she said.

She noted that Glenview Park serves multiple nearby neighborhoods, including Cooper-Young, Castalia and Rozelle.

“It’s a safe haven for children and seniors. It’s also a voting site and is used for family reunions and festivals. It’s utilized in many ways,” she said.

Glenview Community Center Director Linda Bates said the renovations, especially the tennis courts, will benefit the community.

“This new makeover is going to be a great asset. A lot of people use the tennis courts, including students from Central High and residents from nearby neighborhoods,” she said.

City officials did not provide a specific cost for the tennis court work, noting it is part of a broader long-term plan. Walker said the city is about halfway through that effort in year seven.

According to records, the city purchased the land for Glenview Park in late 1943 for $45,300, and the park opened a few years later.