Tom Lee Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tom Lee Park |
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Tom Lee Memorial in Tom Lee Park. (2008)
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| Type | Municipal |
| Location | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| Operated by | City of Memphis |
| Status | Open all year from dawn to 10 pm |
Tom Lee Park is a cool city park right next to downtown Memphis, Tennessee. It sits along the mighty Mississippi River, giving you amazing views of the river and the land across in Arkansas. This park is about 30 acres big and stretches for about 1 mile along the river.
The park is named after a real hero, Tom Lee. He was an African-American river worker who did something incredible in 1925. He saved 32 people from a sinking steamboat called the M.E. Norman.
Tom Lee Park is a super popular spot for people who love to walk, jog, rollerblade, or bike. It also hosts a big event every year, the Beale Street Music Festival, which kicks off the famous Memphis in May celebration.
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What is Tom Lee Park Like?
Tom Lee Park is about 1 mile long, but it's not very wide, usually less than 400 feet across. It covers about 30 acres of land. The park runs south from Beale Street, with the Mississippi River on its west side and Riverside Boulevard on its east side. This location gives everyone fantastic views of the Mississippi River.
Right above the park, on the bluff, you can see beautiful homes and apartments that look out over the park and the river.
The Amazing Rescue by Tom Lee
The park is named after a local hero, Tom Lee (1885–1952). His story is truly inspiring.
One afternoon on May 8, 1925, Tom Lee was steering his small 28-foot boat, the Zev. He was heading upriver after dropping someone off in Helena, Arkansas.
At the same time, a steamboat called the M.E. Norman was also on the river. This boat was carrying members of the Engineers Club of Memphis, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and their families.
How One Man Saved 32 Lives
Tom Lee saw something terrible happen: the M.E. Norman suddenly flipped over in the strong river current. This happened about 15 miles downriver from Memphis. Even though Tom Lee couldn't swim himself, he bravely rescued 32 people! He made five trips back and forth to the shore, bringing people to safety.
Tom Lee acted quickly and calmly, not even thinking about his own danger. He kept searching for survivors even after it got dark. Because of his amazing efforts, only 23 people from the steamboat sadly passed away.
Honoring a Hero
To thank this incredible hero, the Memphis Engineers Club raised money to buy a house for Tom Lee and his wife.
Tom Lee passed away on April 1, 1952. Two years after he died, the park along the Memphis Riverfront was named in his honor. A tall stone monument, called an obelisk, was put up in the park. This monument was damaged twice by strong storms, once in 2003 and again in 2017.
In October 2006, a bronze statue was placed in the park. It was created by artist David Alan Clark. This statue shows Tom Lee rescuing someone from the river, reminding everyone of his heroic actions.
Fun Events at Tom Lee Park
Tom Lee Park is famous for hosting many outdoor events throughout the year.
Music Festivals
The yearly Memphis in May celebration is a very popular event held in the park.
The Beale Street Music Festival is a huge three-day event during Memphis in May. It features over 60 different music acts each year on four stages. You can hear all kinds of music, like blues, hip-hop, and metal.
For many years, the Sunset Symphony concert was a big highlight. It was the largest yearly performance by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. This concert happened during Memorial Day weekend and marked the end of the Memphis in May celebration. It has now been replaced by a "Celebrate Memphis" event.
Barbecue Cooking Contest
The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is held in the park every year during the third weekend of May. It's the biggest pork barbecue cooking competition in the world! Hundreds of chefs from all over the globe come to Tom Lee Park to compete.
