Love the Park
When you work at a park, it's easy to be reminded why you do what you do. You only have to step outside.    
Lately, we've been feeling humbled by the incredible community support for Shelby Farms Park and Greenline. Just last year, we had more than 20,000 hours of volunteer work done at the Park. More people than ever are becoming members. Not only is this support critical to our operations, but it's uplifting. When people step up to volunteer their time and money to support the urban park they treasure, it motivates us to keep working hard to help Shelby Farms Park achieve its potential as the next great park of our time. The Park has a long history of public support. As we prepare to open our incredible new playground, we're thinking of Abe Plough and other supporters who saw the value of this land and worked to preserve it for the public. We've preserved a water fountain installed in his honor at the site in 1977. A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to honor Memphis running legend Mike Cody--a man who has done much for the Park and for Memphis--with a new drinking fountain in his honor at Gate 8. His friends raised the money to purchase and install the fountain for his birthday. We're inspired by people who give. That's why we've reserved rock star parking for SFPC members at the new Woodland Discovery Playground as a small token of gratitude. Thanks for making us feel loved. The feeling is mutual. Play Week 2011 - Sponsored by Nike
   
Make plans to play with us! The incredible Woodland Discovery Playground --made possible by a generous gift from the Plough Foundation--opens to the public at noon on April 8. We'll have a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11am, followed by playtime. We can't wait to share this special space with you. The innovative design was inspired by local kids, and it was selected as one of a handful of projects to be included in a pilot program for the Sustainable Sites Initiative. We have a whole week of events celebrating the opening of the Woodland Discovery Playground. Play Week 2011 is sponsored by Nike. Consider attending:
- Members-Only Sneak Peek Playdate - Tuesday, April 5 from 4pm-6pm: We've packed this playdate with fun, storytelling, Yolo and more! RSVP to Caleb at ctinkle@shelbyfarmspark.org. Free for members.
- People, Places and Landscapes: Designing the 21st Century Urban Fabric - Thursday, April 7, 11am-3pm at Ducks Unlimited: Don't miss this special event featuring James Corner (principal for James Corner Field Operations) and John Hopkins (project director, Olympic Delivery Authority) to hear about how projects like Woodland Discovery Playground and London 2012 Olympic Park are changing how landscape architecture interacts with the public realm. Special pre-opening playground tour included. Register online today!
- Ribbon Cutting for the Woodland Discovery Playground - Friday, April 8 from 11am - 12pm: Don't miss our big moment! Please join us as we celebrate the opening of the playground that will change the way the world thinks about play.
You can find more information about Play Week sponsored by Nike here.
Earth Week 2011
Get ready for the fifth annual Earth Week at Shelby Farms Park! Mark your calendars for these great events.  Down to Earth Festival presented by FedEx - April 17 from 10am-5pm - With live music, great food, a huge kids craft and activity zone, green vendors and exhibitors, local art, park tours, a kite festival, guided hikes and more, Down to Earth Festival is the region's premier Earth Day celebration. We'll even have valet parking for bicycles! Admission is free, and we request a donation for parking. Here's how you can get involved:
 GreenShoe at the Lake presented by First Tennessee Foundation - April 21 from 6:30pm-10:30pm. Tickets $75 each -- Our annual fundraiser is getting a change in vibe and location. Join us for an elegant, earthy evening on the water at Patriot Lake at Shelby Farms Park. You'll enjoy great music, the best of local food, and the coolest crowd in town. Food is provided by Whole Foods and prepared by your favorite local Project Green Fork restaurants and other partners. A portion of your ticket price is tax deductible. Support Shelby Farms Park and Shelby Farms Greenline by purchasing tickets online at www.EarthWeekMemphis.com.
Thank you to our presenting sponsors - FedEx, First Tennessee Foundation, Hyde Family Foundations and Whole Foods AND to all of the sponsors who make Earth Week possible. You can see our sponsors here. Earth Week is a community celebration, and you can find Earth Week Sanctioned Events cropping up all over town in the month of April. Check out this calendar to see our Sanctioned Events! Spring into Green - April 2 from 5pm-9pm
If you love art and you love the Park, you won't want to miss Spring into Green - a juried art sale and silent auction to benefit Shelby Farms Park and Shelby Farms Greenline. Our friends at First Unity Methodist Church have organized this event, and they have some exciting plans. You'll even enjoy live music as you browse. Your $10 admission includes a glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres. Find out more at www.springintogreen.com. Support the Park
Membership matters at Shelby Farms Park. Help us improve your experience at the Park and on the Shelby Farms Greenline by becoming a member. Membership is affordable, and there are lots of great benefits--like discounts to your favorite stores and services. If you enjoy the Park or Greenline, consider becoming a member. Proceeds benefit the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy--the 501(c)3 nonprofit that manages and operates Shelby Farms Park and Shelby Farms Greenline. Members will also get to attend our first Woodland Egg Hunt as part of Earth Week 2011 on April 23! Shelby Farms Park - 500 North Pine Lake Drive, Memphis, TN. (901) 767-PARK.
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