Guest Column: Remembering when Shelby Farms was almost sold
John Vergos remembers the fight to save Shelby Farms from being sold to developers, fifty years ago this month. (The Daily Memphian file)
John Vergos
John Vergos is co-owner of the Rendezvous restaurant, and a managing director of Novel bookstore. A former Memphis City Council member, Vergos was original chairman of the Penal Farm for Public Use Committee, which kept Shelby Farms from being sold for development in the early 1970s.
“Shelby Farms is and will continue to be one of the great parks of the world. Whenever there are large publicly owned tracks of land, it has been my experience that there will always be pressure to cut off a piece here and there for some unrelated reason. It is imperative to stay vigilant.”
Topics
Shelby Farms John VergosRelated stories
‘Critical’ portion of Wolf River Greenway could get state funding
The $10.3 million, if it passes the Tennessee General Assembly, would fund a 5.5-mile stretch of the greenway between John F. Kennedy Park and the west end of Shelby Farms Park.
MSCS eyes 36 acres north of Shelby Farms for new high school
Memphis-Shelby County Schools is considering the purchase of 35.79 acres in Cordova for a new high school.
Children saddle up for equine therapy at Shelby Farms Stables
Tacking, horse grooming and horseback riding were on the agenda for Memphis parents and children Saturday, April 22, at the equine therapy event at Shelby Farms Stables.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories? If you’re a subscriber, scroll down to the comments. If you’re not a subscriber, only paid subscribers can add their thoughts, so subscribe now. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.