User Groups
The Memphis Runners Track Club is a non-profit organization run by a 15-member board of directors who all have a passion for running. The MRTC promotes health and fitness through programs of amateur road racing, cross country and track in the spirit of fun and competition.
MRTC is considered one of the largest and most active running clubs in the nation.
Running in groups can help keep you motivated. Make friends with common interests that will hold you accountable for your workouts. It is important to find the right group for you. Whether you want to go on long, easy runs, trail runs or power walks, the MRTC web site can help you find the right group, place and time to fit into your schedule. There are even groups for Mommies with strollers and toddlers. The club offers walking and running clinics at Shelby Farms Park and has donated equipment to the park.
www.memphisrunners.com
Mark Higginbotham trains a “lifetime of marathoners” for the mental and physical aspects of exercise. From nutrition classes to marathon programs at Shelby Farms Park, Memphis in Motion is helping Memphians get fit and stay fit.
www.memphisinmotion.com
The Mid-South Trails Association (MSTA) represents the mountain biking community to local land-owners, helping to cut new trails and clear trails that need work. MTSA strives to promote mountain biking as a sport, transportation and recreation in Memphis and the Mid-South area. The Mid-South Trails Association is very active at Shelby Farms and co-organizes a monthly trail crew to make repairs and improvements to Shelby Farms Park trails.
www.midsouthtrails.com
BMX has been active in the Mid-South since its inception. The Shelby Farms BMX track boasts the largest number of riders for any BMX track in Tennessee! The BMX track at Shelby Farms Park is maintained and operated by the Shelby Farms BMX Association, which is a nonprofit parents and riders association.
To learn more, check out the Shelby Farms BMX Association Web site.
www.memphisbmx.com
Fishing
The mission of the Mid-South Fly Fishers is to improve and increase the sport of fly fishing in the Mid-South, to encourage and advocate conservation in the waters of the Mid-South, and to encourage and assist others to become fly fishers and to promote the pleasure and fellowship of our members.
The Mid-South Fly Fishers are also helping fix up a Beaver Lake for those who love to fish at Shelby Farms.
www.midsouthflyfishers.org
Shelby Farms Equestrian Alliance
The mission of the Shelby Farms Equestrian Alliance is to encourage equestrian activity in the Mid-South especially at Shelby Farms, by preserving the natural environment of the park for future generations, and to act as a liaison group between area equestrian organizations and the Shelby Farms Park Administration, Shelby Farms Board, and the Shelby County Government. The Shelby Farms Equestrian Alliance co-organizes a monthly trail crew to make repairs and improvements to Shelby Farms Park trails.
www.sfeaonline.org
The horses are back! Whether you’re a card-carrying cowboy or a beginner buckaroo, The Stables at Shelby Farms has the perfect horse for you to ride. Call (901) 213-5001 or toll free 1-877-9-Shelby for more information on prices and hours of operation.
Canoes/Sailing/Boatball
Memphis Whitewater
Memphis Whitewater is a diverse group of common adventurers who share a love for paddling whitewater. You can also catch the Memphis Whitewater crew playing boatball on Patriot Lake. If you’re in search of your own adventure, check out the Memphis Whitewater Web site.
www.memphiswhitewater.com
The Tornado Alley Sailing Club strives to keep sailing fun, simple, and affordable. Want to sail, but don’t want to spring for the expensive equipment? The Tornado Alley Sailing Club is a group for all experience levels, as long as you love sailing and want to learn about sailboats. Check out the Tornado Alley Sailing Club Web site. We’d love to see you out enjoying the wind on Patriot Lake!
www.tornadoalleysailingclub.org
Dogs
The Shelby Farms Off Leash Society materialized out of the need for a user group to represent some of the park’s most frequent and beloved patrons and their owners. You can email the Off Leash Society at info@shelbyfarmsoffleash.org and check out their Web site at www.shelbyfarmsoffleash.org. If you are concerned about the Shelby Farms Dog Off Leash area or dogs in the park in general, check out this group.
Mid-South Hunting Retriever Club
For hunters and dog-trainers, the Mid-South Hunting Retriever Club offers participation in club sponsored hunts and training clinics. If you and your four-legged buddy like hunt and train to retrieve, visit the Mid-South Hunting Retriever Club for more information. Club members train early mornings in the northern areas of Shelby Farms Park.
www.mshrc.com
Memphis Disc Golf Club
No Blues! No Elvis! Just Chain Music! The Memphis Disc Golf Club works hard to raise funds to put in disc golf courses all over the city. Shelby Farms was recently a lucky recipient of a course, and SFPA sponsored one of the baskets! To get in on this fun sport or learn more, check out the Memphis Disc Golf Club Web site.
Also, remember that you can get disc golf supplies at the Paddle Boat area on Patriot Lake.
www.memphisdiscgolf.com
Bird Watching
Tennessee Ornithological Society, Memphis Chapter
Shelby Farms Park is a favorite spot for bird lovers. The Memphis Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society was first organized in 1912 as the West Tennessee Audubon Society and became affiliated with TOS in 1929. For meeting and field trip information, click on the link below:
http://www.tnbirds.org/chapters/Memphis/Memphis1.htm.
