Overton Park Greensward

The Greensward is a large open green space located within Overton Park in Midtown Memphis, Tennessee. Comprising approximately 21 acres, it serves as a central gathering area and recreational space within the larger 342-acre Overton Park.

The Greensward was part of the original 1901 design for Overton Park by landscape architect George Kessler. It was conceived as a place for people to play, explore, and enjoy an open field environment. The gently sloping grassy area is bordered by Rainbow Lake to the east, Veterans Plaza to the west, and sections of the Memphis Zoo and Overton Park Golf Course.

As one of the largest unstructured open spaces in Memphis, the Greensward hosts a variety of informal recreational activities. Visitors use the area for activities such as playing frisbee, flying kites, picnicking, and simply relaxing on the grass. The open layout allows for flexibility in how the space is used.

Over the years, the Greensward has faced challenges related to its use for overflow parking for the Memphis Zoo on busy days. This led to public debates about preserving the space for recreation versus using portions for parking. Recent agreements between the City of Memphis, Overton Park Conservancy, and Memphis Zoo aim to end parking on the Greensward and expand dedicated parking areas for the zoo.