Its name is Mud. And, as the expression goes, that’s generally not a
good thing.

Nearly half the respondents of a new public survey about Mud Island
think there aren’t enough events or interesting things to do at the Mud
Island River Park.

Most citizens want three things for Mud Island, according to the
study: a vibrant “fair-like” atmosphere, natural beauty, and diverse
outdoor physical recreation, such as boating and hiking.

Citizens also want improved access to the park, a family-friendly
atmosphere, and more connectivity between the park and the rest of the
riverfront and downtown.

But the idea for Mud Island that drew the most support — from
the public, at least — is a skate park.

“I think the fact that the number three pastime in this country is
not represented in a city this size — that sort of opportunity is
amazing,” says Aaron Shafer, founder of Skatelife Memphis. “That’s like
saying we’re the only city without a baseball stadium.”

During public meetings this week — including one Thursday, May
14th, on Mud Island — the Riverfront Development Corporation
begins the second phase of the project. Citizens also can answer an
online survey at memphisriverfront.com.

“Many of the suggestions cited (extended days and hours of
operations, museum improvement, pedestrian access across the harbor,
and installation of a skateboard park) require significant capital
investment. While round one participants were encouraged to provide
ideas without regard to fiscal feasibility, physical limitations, or
long-term sustainability, the next round will introduce cost and
feasibility issues into the public discussion,” the report says.

But the initial report doesn’t mention many specific ideas for the
park. Yes, people want green spaces, places to watch the sunset, and
places to get a burger. The three specific amenities the report cites
as frequently mentioned are: a world-class skate park, the historic
Grand Carousel most recently in use at Libertyland, and an
aquarium.

The aquarium idea, however, didn’t get much public support.

Downtown and East Memphis meetings included roughly 125
participants. During these meetings, each participant was given five
votes to determine priorities for the park. At the downtown meeting,
the skate park got 54 votes, as did a water ferry. A playground got 26
votes, and an aquarium got five votes.

At the East Memphis meeting, the skate park got 180 votes, public
art and climbable sculptures got 56 votes, and the aquarium got five
votes.

There are groups less than excited about the idea of a skate park.
The local chamber of commerce said that while a skate bowl would be a
good attraction for Memphis, it does not need to be situated by the
river to be successful. The Memphis parks division said that a number
of smaller skate parks scattered around the city would be better for
residents.

Skatelife members think their push for an 80,000 square-foot skate
park on Mud Island has been misconstrued. “We don’t want a skate park
there just so we have a place to skate. That’s a side benefit,” says
Kris Gurley. “We want a skate park to help make sure Mud Island is a
success.”

They make a convincing case. Local skateboarders would come, as well
as people from out of town, to skate a world-class park. And the cost
to build and maintain it would be minimal compared to some of the other
ideas.

“An aquarium, you see it once,” Gurley says. “It doesn’t have a
return draw.”

Mud Island could be great, but it’s not there yet. One of the
report’s key findings was that citizens want an active Mud Island, a
place where they can people-watch just as easily as going to the museum
or watching the sunset.

But the only way to have a place for people watching is to have
things for people to do. Similarly, there are plenty of places on the
Mississippi to watch a sunset: Tom Lee Park, Ashburn Coppock, Martyrs
Park. We don’t need another place solely for sunset-watching.

I’d like a restaurant on Mud Island, but without a critical mass of
people, how is one to survive?

Perhaps Shafer puts it best: “What’s going to be on the island
that’s going to sustain all the other things that people want there,
but that are already duplicated at other places in the city?”