A walk in the clouds
Memphis opens a $10 million perch on the Mississippi River.
In Memphis, people can get as high as birds in flight. The city has opened the Memphis Flyway, an elevated, ADA-accessible trail overlooking the Mississippi River.
Why it matters: Baton Rouge is eager to reconnect with its riverfront. Memphis shows what’s possible and how funding from a mix of sources can make it happen.
The details: The Flyway is perched at treetop level in Tom Lee Park, a 30-acre riverfront space.
- According to the Memphis River Parks Partnership, the Flyway is a ground-supported canopy boardwalk held up by three bundles of steel mast columns.
- Located on the North American migratory bird route, it's a great place for birdwatching.
- And when the Mississippi runs high, visitors feel like they’re hovering between the water and the air.
The nonprofit Partnership helped raise $10 million for the project. Altogether, it has raised more than $80 million on behalf of the City of Memphis to transform its green spaces, including the riverfront park.
The bottom line: Memphis expects the Flyway to attract 1 million visitors a year, boosting tourism and, more importantly, giving residents a chance to soar with the birds for a while.
