Tom Lee Park, a 31-acre space that took five years to construct and design, officially opens in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, Sept. 3. The riverfront park lies along the Mississippi River and marks the country’s latest riverfront destination. The park honors African American laborer and hero Tom Lee, who single-handedly rescued 32 people from the Mississippi River almost a century ago.

© Courtesy of Tom Lee Park Memphis

Planned and designed by Studio Gang, with landscaping by SCAPE, Tom Lee Park centers around Sunset Canopy, a soaring, timber pavilion sheltering a patterned basketball court. The pavilion will also host concerts, performances, yoga classes and cocktail events. The structure has a much lower carbon footprint compared to traditional reinforced concrete or steel thanks to glulam, a type of engineered wood beam made with wood laminations.

In addition to Sunset Canopy, Tom Lee Park will feature a playground and outdoor classroom for kids to learn about their surroundings. Monumental artwork will also adorn the space by Theaster Gates. On opening day, visitors can enjoy the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a historically Black college band’s performance, picnics, community sings, park tours, fireworks and more.

© SCAPE & Ty Cole

“Tom Lee Park could only be in Memphis. It’s a place for park life, welcoming to one and all and made vibrant by its diversity, while contributing to the resiliency of the river corridor,” said Carol Coletta, president and CEO, Memphis River Parks Partnership.