Shelby Farms Park Conservancy is putting the final touches on its grand “Heart of the Park” improvement project, a $52 million environmental and recreation restoration of Shelby Farms Park’s largest lake.
“Heart of the Park” is the keystone of the $70 million Phase I of the park’s master plan, and it’s the largest project it has ever taken on.
Patriot Lake is being expanded from approximately 55 acres to nearly 80 acres. Previously the lake was not ecologically sound, as it experienced erosion around its edges and leaked from the bottom, forcing park officials to fill the lake twice each year.
“The lake edges have been reshaped, as well as the watershed around the lake, so it can fill itself naturally with rainwater,” said Rebecca Dailey, Shelby Farms Park communication assistant. “We’ve lined the bottom of the lake to help stop the leaking issue, and we’ve planted native wetlands plants along the northern edge of the lake.”
As water flows into the lake from the watershed it is filtered, so the lake will be much cleaner than before.
“We’ve added a new boat launch and a boathouse where you can rent kayaks, canoes and standup paddle boards,” she said. “And you are welcome to bring your boat to the lake as long as it doesn’t have a motor.”
Bike rentals will now be offered at the lake, and park guests are expected to enjoy the new separated walking and cycling paths.
“All of the park’s trails prior to Heart of the Park were shared-use trails, and this is the first time we are actually separating the higher speed traffic from the slower-paced pedestrian traffic,” said Dailey. “We received community feedback requesting separated paths, and we’re going to try it out.”
New resting points with benches are scattered throughout the park, and a new restroom is located on the south side of the lake accommodate people trekking the 2.3-mile loop.
Also new, the First Tennessee Foundation Visitors’ Center will include rentable community space, a gift shop, administrative offices and a grab-and-go café and bistro called The Kitchenette. A sit-down restaurant called The Kitchen Bistro will be located in the new Fed Ex Event Center.
“It will be the first opportunity we’ve ever had to offer food onsite at the park consistently,” said Dailey.
James Corner Field Operations is the landscape architect for the project.
The improvements will officially open to the public on Sept. 1 at 9 a.m. at a ribbon-cutting event at the park’s new “front porch” and visitors’ center. The following 30 days will celebrate the opening with free arts, music, nature and fitness events for all ages.
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