STREETS & HIGHWAYS/Memphis re-greens its beloved parkways
Established in 1902 as a system of boulevards surrounding midtown and downtown Memphis, Tenn., the broad, leafy Parkways provided the city with streetscapes that were both practical and aesthetically appealing. Today, the Parkways are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Originally created for horse-and-buggy traffic, the Parkways have withstood heavy use by automobiles. However, a street median is a stressful location for trees. Air pollution, noise, heat, drought and other hardships had taken a toll on the trees lining the Parkways’ medians, leaving them looking unkempt and neglected. Additionally, years of deferred maintenance had left many trees dead or dying, and gaps existed where trees had been removed and not replaced.
The Parkways restoration was identified as a key item in the city’s Park Services Facilities Master Plan, which was completed in 1999. Phase I of the restoration included development and implementation of a comprehensive tree maintenance plan and shade tree planting for the 7.5-mile central median. A second phase, involving improvements to a drainage channel, is under way.
During Phase I, every tree on the Parkways’ medians was evaluated by a licensed arborist and by Park Services personnel to determine species and condition. A series of aerial maps indicated the location of each tree.
During the project, 20 percent of the canopy was removed because trees were dead or diseased. Trees also were pruned, and more than 300 healthy shade trees — all native species — were planted. A one-year maintenance contract now is in effect.
The project was financed through a $324,000 Enhancement Grant from the state Department of Transportation and $81,000 in matching funds from the city. The city’s Division of Park Services recently announced receipt of a $400,000 grant from the state DOT to continue work on the Parkways. The project received the Anona Stoner Award from Memphis Heritage for preservation of an historic landscape and the Historic Restoration Award from the Memphis City Beautiful Commission.
