We will make the Old Forest trails easier to navigate by replacing outdated trail markers and adding mile markers to the limestone running trail.
Leader
Melissa McMasters
Location
2080 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38104
The Overton Park Old Forest State Natural Area is a beautiful escape into nature, and a favorite spot for runners and hikers. But it can sometimes be confusing to navigate the trails. Trail markers were last installed on the Old Forest Trail in the 1980s, and many of them are either missing, broken, or vandalized. Overton Park Conservancy needs funds to replace these markers, as well as add a few mileage markers on the limestone running trail.
We also want to help people understand what's so special about the forest. There's a paper map from the 1980s with some interpretive information, but we want to put the map online so that we can update it as the forest changes. Visitors will be able to use their phones or computers to learn more about what they're seeing on the Old Forest trails. Any extra funds we raise beyond the cost of the trail markers will go toward developing and coding an interpretive trail map for our website.
Spring 2015 - Identify locations for the new trail markers, and develop content for the interpretive map.
Summer 2015 - Work with Overton Park Conservancy's Design Advisory Committee to identify attractive trail markers that are helpful to visitors and enhance the forest's natural beauty. After those are identified, we will order and install new trail markers for the Old Forest Trail.
Fall 2015 - Work with our web vendor to create interactive maps for the website.
The Old Forest is one of Memphis' treasures--a 10,000+ year-old wooded ecosystem that has never been cut down. It has more than 4 miles of dirt trails where people can immerse themselves in nature, with no admission fee, 365 days a year. A 1.4-mile limestone running trail offers a free opportunity for fitness and recreation. But we often hear that the Old Forest is scary because it's so easy to get lost on the trails.
We want to share this gem with the people of Memphis, and the lack of wayfinding and interpretive signs makes the forest intimidating to people who might otherwise enjoy it. There are few opportunities in the middle of our urban area to experience nature at no cost, so we want people to embrace the Old Forest because it can offer just that.
Overton Park Conservancy has an ambitious plan for engaging the people of Memphis in visiting and caring for the forest, but installing trail markers that make everyone feel welcome and safe is a great start.
