Overton Park

Making the Most of a Reading Day at Overton Park

Overton Park is one of the largest urban green spaces in Midtown Memphis, and its mix of open lawn, shaded old-growth forest and cultural neighbours makes it a natural setting for families who want to pair books with time outdoors. Alongside the greensward and the Memphis Zoo, the park is home to the Levitt Shell, a historic outdoor bandshell, and sits next to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and the Memphis College of Art campus area. That combination means a single visit can easily turn into a full day of stories, music and exploring.

Planning your visit

• Arrive early on event days. Parking near the greensward and zoo fills quickly on warm weekends, so allow extra time or consider cycling or rideshare.
• Bring a blanket and shade. The greensward is open lawn, and Memphis summers are hot and humid. Hats, water and sunscreen make outdoor reading far more comfortable for young children.
• Check the weather. Summer storms can roll in fast. If an outdoor gathering is affected, we share updates through our contact page and usual channels.

Turning a park trip into reading practice

You don't need an organised event to use the park as a literacy tool. The Old Forest trails are ideal for nature-themed read-alouds: pick a picture book about trees, birds or insects and look for what you read about along the path. Older children can keep a simple field journal, writing a sentence or two about each thing they notice, which builds vocabulary and observation skills at the same time. After a zoo visit, ask children to retell the day in order, or to choose a favourite animal and find a book about it at the library.

For more ideas on reading activities you can take outdoors, browse our family resources, or see the full range of tutoring and family nights on our programs page.