How SCAPE Flipped the Design Script In Memphis

The redesign of Tom Lee Park in Memphis, Tennessee, by SCAPE and Studio Gang, which won a 2024 ASLA Professional Honor Award in General Design, serves as a case study in urban ecological design. The project, which opened in September 2023 after four years of development, addressed initial concerns that the park would primarily benefit downtown residents, leading to a significant shift in its design philosophy. The park's location along the Mississippi River has a history of transformation. Initially a dumping ground, it became Astor Park with the construction of Riverside Drive in 1935, primarily serving as a small grassy area. In 1954, it was renamed Tom Lee Park, honoring Tom Lee, an African American man who rescued 32 passengers from a capsized ship in 1925. The park was further expanded in 1991 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, adding 31 acres to stabilize the bluff. Before the redesign, the park was largely a treeless, compacted lawn, offering minimal amenities and shade, despite Memphis's hot summers. The Memphis Riverfront Concept, initiated in 2017 by Studio Gang, brought SCAPE on board as landscape architects. Early design ideas by Kate Orff, SCAPE's founder, were inspired by the Mississippi River's natural dynamics, envisioning distinct zones for programming. However, a pivotal moment occurred during a council meeting when a question arose about the park's inclusivity for all Memphians, not just downtown residents. This led Orff to reconceptualize the park into a series of "micro-deltas" or "microparks," each with an entrance catering to different communities. This approach transformed the park from a traditional linear space into five distinct areas, increasing topographical diversity and complexity. The park's final design is structured into four zones: Civic Gateway, Active Core, Community Batture, and Habitat Terrace. The Civic Gateway includes the Autozone Plaza and a fully accessible cut-bank bluff entryway. The Active Core features large lawns, the Sunset Canopy, basketball courts (dedicated to Tyre Nichols), and a playground with Mississippi River fauna-inspired structures. The large lawn areas in the Active Core were a compromise for the annual Memphis in May festival, which ironically no longer takes place at the park. The Community Batture is a contemplative space housing "A Monument to Listening" by artist Theaster Gates, featuring 32 sculptures representing the lives saved by Tom Lee and a 33rd for reflection. This installation visually connects to the original Tom Lee sculpture and the river, enhanced by a grove of river birch trees. The Habitat Terrace, the smallest zone, includes a high-performance ecolawn and areas for observing ecological processes, serving as an educational site. The ecolawn uses hardy, low-maintenance native species as an alternative to traditional lawns, highlighting a progressive ecological strategy. The design team prioritized durability and simplicity in material choices, using stone, wood decks, and fencing designed for longevity and ease of replacement. The plantings, however, are multilayered and complex, featuring various native species mixes. Maintaining these complex ecological plantings beyond initial establishment requires a robust maintenance plan. The Memphis River Parks Partnership monitors the plantings closely, with the understanding that an adaptive management approach, similar to gardening, is necessary. Beyond its physical design, the park integrates a curricular component with Memphis schools, providing hands-on ecological education for third and ninth graders. This program aims to educate students on critical landscape topics and urban resilience. The redesigned Tom Lee Park cost approximately $61 million, with an additional $1.4 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for Gates's art installation. The project emphasizes a collaborative, community-focused ethos, aiming to create a welcoming space that fosters new memories and experiences for all Memphians. #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDesign #ParkRedesign #CommunityEngagement #EcologicalDesign #Memphis #SCAPEStudio #PublicSpace #EnvironmentalResilience #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDesign #ParkRedesign #CommunityEngagement #EcologicalDesign #Memphis #SCAPEStudio #PublicSpace #EnvironmentalResilience