Stax Museum
I went on one of Sherman Willmott’s tours of Memphis with my Father a few weeks ago. Sherman gave us a personal tour of Memphis where he pointed out the places, other then Graceland, that contributed to the city’s rich musical history. He is available for personal tours . Turns out he just happens to be the main guy that founded the Stax Museum!
Sherman has become one of my most passionate co-advocates for what Skatelife is trying to do in establishing a premier recreational magnet on Mud Island. Sherman’s candor is refreshing and inspiring. Here is what he has to say:
“Dear Memphasians:
I’ve lived in Memphis since 1974. During these 35 years, there has been
nothing in the empty spot at the South End of Mud Island. Nothing. Zero.
Zippo. Zilch.
Skatelife Memphis has proposed to the Memphis city parks division and
Riverfront Development Corporation to build an affordable, world-class skate
park that would draw skaters (and their families!) from all over Memphis,
Shelby County, & the whole freakin’ world! While the Riverfront Development
Corporation has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars “planning” for Mud
Island’s future, this visionary idea sits and grows mold.
This proposed skatepark on Mud Island could be one of the greatest things in
Memphis. It would bring life to a lifeless part of Mud Island. It would
bring thousands of skaters a year to Memphis from all over the world. It
would make Mud Island flourish. It would give Memphis another world class
attraction much like AutoZone Baseball Park, the Stax Museum, Sun Studio,
and Cozy Corner BBQ! (I should know. I helped build Shangri-la Records as
well as the Stax Museum from scratch to fruition. We built the Stax Museum
on an empty, abandoned parking lot in South Memphis and now Time Magazine
calls it one of the top 50 attractions in the United States!). And it would
cost a fraction of money that they are spending on a floating dock they are
building with taxpayer’s money right now!
The majority of the people attending the meetings that the Riverfront
Development Corporation are hosting want this skatepark and attend the
planning meetings to make sure the voices of skaters are heard. Please
continue to support Skatelife Memphis by attending these meetings.
Memphis needs this skatepark on Mud Island! You may (be old enough to)
remember the funny posters from the 1970s that said, “Ski Mud Island.”
The Skatelife folks are working their butts off so that one day we can say, “Skate Mud Island!” Their efforts won’t go anywhere if the public doesn’t weigh in and show up at these meetings.
This would be an awesome
experience for everyone. Give Skatelife Memphis a few hours of your time
and attend these meetings and make this cool dream a reality. Otherwise the
bureaucrats will put something lame, hideous, & doomed to fail that does not
appeal to the citizens of Memphis and the world.
Please support Skatelife Memphis and keep this amazing dream alive! You
will be helping to make Memphis a better place to live.
Rock on,
Sherman Willmott
Shangri-la Projects”
There will be two Phase II meetings
1.Memphis Botanical Gardens
Tuesday May 12th, from 5:45 – 7:15 pm
Location: Memphis Botanic Gardens, 750 Cherry Road (near Audobon Park)
2. Downtown Meeting
Thursday May 14th from 5:45 – 7:15 pm
Location:101 Island Drive ( At the Mud Island River park)
This is the best idea for Memphis. If Mud Island doesnt work out please come out toward Arlington. We used to live near Yap the YOUTH ACTIVITY PARK In O Fallon MO and it was a parks and rec park in St Charles Co. It was so awesome for the kids that need to burn off a lot of energy. Please keep up the good work and we will try our best to support you at the rallys. I am a little concerned about the size of this park. We dont need a park like in KY were the gangs gather. YAP is the best because it is paid for by the tax payers and is run so that no riff raff happens. Please keep this in mind.
Gina and Tyler
Louisville needed what Mud Island has-secured access points.
The lack of access on Mud Island is the biggest asset for the skate park.
If participants don’t obey the rules they are kindly ushered out of the park and lose their pass.
Thanks for your support at the meetings!