The signing of the management agreement

A lot of people said it would never happen...that it couldn't happen.

Parks are operated by nonprofits all the time, but the road to a management agreement isn't without its bumps and curves. Thanks to the leadership and wisdom of the Shelby County Commission and Mayor AC Wharton, Shelby Farms Park is now counted in the growing number of public parks run by a public-private partnership. Central Park and Prospect Park in New York are operated this way. So is Piedmont Park in Atlanta and even the Memphis Zoo.

Cities across the country are making record investments in their parks and green spaces, and Shelby County had taken the first step toward prioritizing its valuable and unique natural resources as priceless public amenities. With the conservation easement secured in December of 2006 and the master plan innovative design competition under way, Shelby Farms Park's future is looking bright.

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy has big plans for this big park, and we know we're going to make Memphis proud.

The signing of the Shelby Farms Park Management Agreement comes in at #1 on my list of Top 10 Park Moments of 2007. When Mayor AC Wharton and Conservancy board chair Calvin Anderson autographed that historic document, they signed on to something truly special.

And that ends my blogging marathon for now. Don't worry-I'll be posting a few times a week, so check back often and join in the fun by registering to leave comments.