Shelby Farms Park has an approved Master Plan — and a $20 million “challenge grant” from the Hyde Family Foundations to jumpstart fundraising for its first phase. The Master Plan is a roadmap for transforming the country’s largest urban park into a top draw for residents, tourists, and relocating businesses that are seeking a high quality of life for their employees.
The Master Plan envisions 12 diverse landscape areas by walkways and bike paths over the park’s 4,500 acres — five times larger than Manhattan’s Central Park. Landscapes will range from lakes to forests to the open “outback”, with an expanded Patriot Lake, playgrounds, and one million new trees. The Hyde Foundation views the park as the cornerstone of an overall “greenprint” to make the city more environmentally progressive, attracting and keeping residents that value such an amenity.
To receive the five-year Hyde grant, the largest local conservation grant every awarded, the convervancy needs to secure $20 million in matching commitments by December 31, 2008. Park and community leaders view this as very achievable, citing a high level of local excitement as well as opportunities for state, federal and national foundation grants that will leverage the Hyde Foundation’s initial investment.
For More Information Contact: Rick Masson (901) 767-7275
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