Return to Lick Creek

Thanks to the efforts of Councilman Jim Strickland, the City of Memphis has hired an independent consultant, TetraTech, to study flooding and its solutions in the Lick Creek Basin. TetraTech, Mayor Wharton and Councilman Strickland kicked off the study with a public meeting at Snowden Elementary this past Monday to begin gathering public input.

CPOP sent the letter below as our official comment.

We ask that Forest and Park supporters also weigh in and email the Mayor, Councilman Strickland and TetraTech, asking them to follow the vote of the Lick Creek Coalition and recommendation of the Ellers 2007 engineering report: keep detention out of the Greensward and Overton Park.

Res ipsa loquitur

November 15, 2010

Ms. Cynthia Buchanan
Director of Park Services, City of Memphis
2599 Avery Ave.
Memphis, TN 38112

Dear Director Buchanan:

As you know, CPOP supports the idea of a conservation easement to protect Overton Park from inappropriate uses in the future. We also support a Tennessee State Natural Area designation for the 150-acre Old Forest, because we think it's the simplest, cheapest and most effective method to protect this unique ecosystem.

Over the past two years CPOP has frequently stated that the process of giving legal protection to Overton Park should be conducted openly and allow for public participation. Our board of directors met with you and the City's Chief Administrative Officer, George Little, on February 25, 2010, and were given a verbal promise that this would occur. So far you have shown no openness or willingness to include the public in this process.

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