Friends of Chelsea Greenline Advocacy Group
The Greenline is coming, the greenline is coming! We would like to be a part of it and we need to be a part of it! North Memphis,TN needs a voice in this project since this project is making an impact in our neighborhood.
Leader
Michalyn Easter
Location
Chelsea Avenue Memphis, TN 38107
About the project
Friends of Chelsea Greenline will form to give North Memphis residents a strong, projected voice in the use, sustenance, and community connections involved with the future 2.5 mile Chelsea Greenline. Stretching from Chelsea and Evergreen all the way to Washington Park, the Chelsea Greenline will prove influential on the residents of North Memphis. FCG will form to ensure that all coming influences will be as productive and inclusive as possible for North Memphis residents.
FCG will form to address the needs of future facilities, greenline usage, greenline security, trash removal, community events, education, fundraising, community connections, and publicity.
FCG will seek the support of community residents, schools, businesses, colleges, churches, current city park administration, Wolf River Greenway, and etc. We are seeking such support to acquire the assistance needed to implement our future endeavors.
In the pilot year of March 2016-March 2017, we seek to do the following:
· Create a legitimate presence with a logo and possible website and/or mobile app
· Hold community meetings to gather members and monetary support
· Host community engagement opportunities to promote future Greenline usage
· Implement a direct mail campaign in the zip code of 38107
· Establish a future agreement for office space within a community or business location
· Be recognized under the fiscal sponsorship of Our Grass Our Roots, non-profit organization based in North Memphis www.ourgrassourroots.org
The Steps
March 2016
· FCG Interest Meeting for potential members and supporters
· ioby campaign to raise funds to implement FCG
April- June 2016
· Logo creation and website design
· Direct Mail Campaign to gain more members and supporters for FCG in the 38107, 38108 zip code
· FCG Interest Meeting for potential members and supporters
· Organization of Board, responsible parties, liaisons and connections
July-August 2016
· Community Engagement opportunities on the west and east ends of Chelsea Avenue
September-November 2016
· Planning for Holiday community engagement in Dec 2016
· FCG meeting to develop plan of action for 2017
December 2016
· Holiday community engagement
January-March 2016
· FCG will negotiate for contractual usage of community or business space within 38107
Why we‘re doing it
Greater Memphis Greenline developed a vision in 2004 that included transforming the area of North Memphis into a greener and cleaner area with the creation of a 2.5 mile Greenline. The Chelsea Greenline will trek over the once used Union Pacific Railway to create a “world class recreational park/hiking-biking trail system. This trail system will help people engage with their neighbors and move to the sidewalk instead of the sofa.” (http://www.midsouthgreenways.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Greater-Memphis-Greenline-Dec13.pdf)
With some North Memphis residents not knowing about the project until January 2016, we were too late to voice our opinion on its arrival. However, with proper planning, funding, and advocacy formation, we can assure ourselves a seat at the table when it comes time to discuss design, implementation, usage, sustenance, community engagement. We are taking this time to become a proactive force instead of an uninformed, reactive one.
North Memphis needs some help in revitalization, but the true transformation will always be in the privilege and responsibility of true North Memphis citizens.