Tom Lee Park
| Tom Lee Park | |
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Tom Lee Memorial in Tom Lee Park. (2008)
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| Type | Municipal |
| Location | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 35°08′11″N 90°03′46″W / 35.1365°N 90.06267°WCoordinates: 35°08′11″N 90°03′46″W / 35.1365°N 90.06267°W |
| Area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| Operated by | City of Memphis |
| Status | Open all year from dawn to 10 pm |
Tom Lee Park is a city park located to the immediate west of downtown Memphis, Tennessee, overlooking the Mississippi River. Encompassing about 30 acres (12 ha) parallel to the Mississippi River for about one mile (1.6 km), it offers panoramic views of the Mississippi River and the shores of Arkansas on the opposite side. The park is named after Tom Lee, an African-American riverworker, who saved the lives of 32 passengers of the sinking steamboat M.E. Norman in 1925.
Tom Lee Park is a popular location for walkers, joggers, roller bladers and cyclists, and hosts events throughout the year, including the Beale Street Music Festival that kicks off Memphis in May.
Tom Lee Park is approximately one mile (1.6 km) long, but not more than 400 ft (120 m) wide at any point. It encompasses about 30 acres (12 ha), running south from Beale Street, bounded by the Mississippi River to the west, and Riverside Blvd to the east, offering panoramic views of the Mississippi River.
Luxury homes and condominiums line the top of the bluff overlooking the park and the river.
The park is named after area resident Tom Lee (1885–1952).
Late during the afternoon of May 8, 1925, Lee steered his 28 ft (8.5 m) skiff Zev upriver after delivering an official to Helena, Arkansas.
Also on the river was a steamboat, the M.E. Norman, carrying members of the Engineers Club of Memphis, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and their families.
Tom Lee witnessed the M.E. Norman capsize in the swift current 15 mi (24 km) downriver from Memphis at Cow Island Bend. Although he could not swim, he rescued 32 people with five trips to shore. Lee acted quickly, calmly and with no regard for his own safety, continuing to search after night fell. Because of his efforts, only 23 people died.
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Wikipedia