Spring 2008 Newsletter

This newsletter was e-mailed to members on March 3, 2008.

Please join us for a public meeting Wednesday, April 9th at 7 pm at the Cordova Branch Public Library, Meeting Room A, 8457 Trinity Road, Cordova, TN 38018. Discussion topics include Shelby Farms Conservancy proposed master plans, your interests as users of the off-leash area, volunteering with the Off Leash Society and future specials events and projects.

We will be at the park on Saturday April 5th. Look for our information booth near the Gate 12 entrance starting at 8 a.m. Stop by and say hello. Stop by and say hello. Sign up for an annual membership for $20 and receive a free t-shirt!

There is a dog wash benefiting MAGRR (Memphis Area Golden Retriever Rescue) on Saturday, March 15th from 10 am til 2 pm at Lil' John's Animall, located at 1701 Germantown Pkwy in Cordova. Customers will pay $8.99 plus tax for a dog wash, which includes shampoo and towel and blow dry. MAGRR volunteers will do the washing and MAGRR gets to keep 100% of the money raised.

The Equestrian Endurance Race is Saturday, March 15 from 7:00 am - mid afternoon. It is estimated there will be 100+ horses and 400+ people at the park for this event. Although, the park will be more crowded than usual, normal park activities will continue.

The Shelby Farms Off Leash group was represented at the PARC Committee Meeting held by the Shelby Farms Conservancy on Tuesday, February 26th. Off leash area users are strongly encouraged to offer their input on the ideas and plans set forth in the master planning process and what is displayed by the competing developers. It is CRITICAL that we are heard in order to maintain (and one day improve) the area we all love so much. A summary of the meeting follows:

  • The meeting was chaired by Laura Adams, who incidentally is a finalist for the ED position. Attending the meeting were representatives of the Off Leash Society, Equestrian Alliance, Whitewater Rafting, Disc Golf, Audubon Society and some others.
  • Conservancy Update - Recently, the Conservancy became independent of Shelby County. The park staff were given the option to remain with the county and many did, including the Director of Park Operations (Satterfield). This position, as well as the Executive Director position, should be filled during March.
  • Innovative Design Competition Update - Three design firms participated in this process, during which there were three public input meetings and 800 surveys submitted. The design entries have been completed and will be exhibited from March 6 - 31 at the Cossett Library (downtown), the Hooks Library and the Shelby Farms Visitor's Center during normal operating hours. Please note that the full exhibits, which include the larger scale models, will only be on display at the Hooks Library from March 6 - 15 (there will be a press conference on the 6th at 10:00 AM and a PARC Committee Reception on March 7th) and the Shelby Farms Visitor's Center from March 17 - 31. It should also be noted that the purpose of these exhibits is not to select a master plan but only to determine which design firm will be engaged as the master planner to complete the final design for the park (the ultimate design could be some combination of all three or something different). Additional surveys will be available at the exhibits and we encourage everyone to complete the survey to ensure all input to the design process is considered.
  • Earth Day - Sunday, April 20 from 11-5. This should be a large event with many exhibitors, especially those of the "green" variety. Transportation will be available from the public library to the park for this event.
  • The Green Shoe Gala to benefit Shelby Farms will be held Friday evening, April 18. Tickets are $250.00 per person and more information is available at the park website.
  • The massive hole in the parking lot near gate 12 is being filled in by the Conservancy at our request, even though this area is technically not part of Shelby Farms.