Frequently Asked Questions About Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

What is the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy?

The Conservancy is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization transforming Shelby Farms Park into one of the nation’s best urban parks.  The Conservancy was formed because it has the flexibility to make decisions, it has the community-based leadership to act courageously, and it has the ability to attract important financial contributions from local and national businesses and foundations.  In this role, it will operate the Park, manage its unique resources, and lead the vision for it.

On March 26, 2007, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners – acting on recommendations from its special ad hoc committee on Shelby Farms Park – voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution authorizing Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton to negotiate an agreement with a nonprofit organization for the operations, management, and leadership of the Park.  After four months of negotiations, an agreement was finalized, and a signing ceremony took place July 20, 2007.  As part of this process, Mayor Wharton identified the Conservancy as the nonprofit organization to manage and lead 2,900 acres of the park, excluding Agricenter International and the area used by county government.

The Conservancy has been granted an historic opportunity to manage, operate and lead Shelby Farms Park.  Its overall mission is to give rise to the next great 21st century park that defines and shapes a great city.  It began by employing a top-notch staff to manage the Park and lead a master planning process that attracted national experts to plan the Park’s future.  The Conservancy is responsible for implementing the plan and raising the money for it.

Members of the Conservancy Board of Directors are a cross-section of the leadership in Shelby County, including business and philanthropic leaders and ex-officio members of Shelby County Government and both Agricenter International and Shelby County Agricenter Commission.

The Shelby Farms Park Conservancy oversees operations and maintenance of Shelby Farms Park, act as steward for the public of the land and its uses, and lead development of a master plan for a great American park.  Next steps include raising capital and operating funds, and working with Agricenter International to coordinate public investment and uses. In its role, the Conservancy will work closely with Shelby County Government, which will continue to provide the current level of funding and in-kind support given to the Park.  The Conservancy is stewarding a Master Plan that defines the public’s new vision for the Park, which as included hiring a well-known national planner, overseeing the planning development, ensuring public involvement, and implementing the final recommendations.

What are the major terms of the agreement between county government and the Conservancy?

The initial agreement has a 10-year term with automatic extensions unless notice of termination is given.  It gives the Conservancy authority over 2,900 acres, ensures that county funding remains at its current level, gives the Conservancy the authority to set fees and operate all concessions, and requires annual financial reports to the board of commissioners.

Absolutely.  Numerous examples exist in cities across the U.S., but perhaps the most famous is the Central Park Conservancy in New York City, which manages Central Park in conjunction with New York City Parks Administration. Also, Atlanta’s Piedmont Park is managed by the Piedmont Park Conservancy. As public funds become tighter and tighter, these kinds of arrangements allow for upkeep of valuable parkland and development of new urban parks.