The Green Army Unites, Can't Find Parking

A mass of folks 1000 strong crowded into the Memphis Botanic Gardens in February of 2007 to show their support for connecting parks and green space in Memphis. At Greening Greater Memphis, bodies were flooding out the doors, into the parking lots. Some people couldn't even find parking (our apologies). It was an incredible feeling to be part of something so big. We sent a message loud and clear to the powers that be. Memphians want green infrastructure. They want to be able to hop on a safe greenway in Midtown and ride their bikes with their families out to the park. They want to run all along the Wolf River. They want the abandoned CSX rail line converted to a multi-use trail. They want to be known not as the city with the biggest waste lines but as the city with the cool parks and greenways. And they want elected officials to prioritize these issues.

Local environmental and green groups of varying shades set up shop all around the building and talk to people about their various activities and causes. Three mayors attended the meeting, along with lots of local business and opinion leaders.

We partnered with Greater Memphis Greenline, Sierra Club and Wolf River Conservancy to plan the event. The combination of these groups' projects touches nearly every district in the city and can connect Memphis in a way that is truly unique. Your continuing support of these efforts is essential.

So, Greening Greater Memphis comes in at #3 on my list for the quantity of people and the quality of mission.

Were you at the meeting? What'd you think? What's next?

Tomorrow: History is made.