Gooch Park

Gooch Park is a 10.28-acre public park located in Memphis, Tennessee. Established in 1957, it was among the first parks in Memphis designated for African American residents. The park was founded by Cecil Milton and Boyce Alexander Gooch, after whom it is named.

The park features a lighted outdoor swimming pool, which opened in 1959. That same year, Gooch Park hosted Memphis' first African American bicycle rodeo. Over the years, the park has been frequented by notable Memphis musicians, including Elvis Presley, Yo Gotti, Gangsta Pat, and Harvey Henderson of The Barkays.

In recent years, Gooch Park has been adopted by the H.U.G. Park Friends, a grassroots neighborhood organization founded in 2015. This group has worked to reduce crime in the park and organize regular community events, including sporting events, free lunch programs for youth, litter cleanups, and other volunteer activities.

In 2024, the City of Memphis received a $3.3 million grant from the National Park Service to make improvements to Gooch Park. Planned upgrades include renovations to the walking trail, athletic field, playground, and pool, as well as lighting improvements and erosion control measures. These improvements were based on community input and are expected to begin in spring 2026.