Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

What Shelby Farms Park Conservancy does

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, that manages and operates Shelby Farms Park, a 4,500-acre urban park — among the largest in the United States at roughly five times the footprint of Central Park. The conservancy stewards park assets including a 10.65-mile paved trail system (the Greenline), an 80-acre lake (Hyde Lake), a 50-acre buffalo range housing a resident herd, and event/visitor facilities including the FedEx Event Center and First Horizon Visitor Center. It operates as a public-private steward, providing free public admission and serving the Memphis metropolitan region with recreation, programming, and venue services.

Name

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

Legal name

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

Website

https://shelbyfarmspark.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy is a Memphis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages a 4,500-acre urban park, providing free public access, recreation, and event venues while relying on corporate sponsorships, donations, and food-and-beverage partnerships for roughly 75% of its operating budget.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Urban Park Management

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Equestrian & Horse Trekking Centers (THAAAKAL)

Keywords

• Nonprofit park management
• Urban park operations
• Venue rental services
• Outdoor recreation programs
• Community event hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Annual Fund: Individual donors contribute to the Annual Fund (gifts from $5 to $1,499) and The Grove major donor program. Donations constitute approximately 75% of the operating budget, exceeding $10,000 per day.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners support events, programs, naming rights, and general operations. Partners include event sponsors, education/program sponsors, and naming rights holders for pavilions, spraygrounds, bike stations, and other amenities.
3. Venue and Facility Rentals: Revenue from renting pavilions, event center, meeting rooms, and lawn/stage spaces. The FedEx Event Center offers 7,200+ square feet of flexible space for weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings.
4. Membership (Park Friends): Free membership program offering 10% discounts on boat rentals, bike rentals, Go Ape, horseback riding, paintball/laser tag, and gift shop purchases. Membership provides recurring donor engagement and data.
5. Planned Giving: Legacy giving programs including bequests and estate planning to ensure long-term sustainability.
6. Food and Beverage Partnerships: Restaurant partners (Coastal Fish Company, Belltower Coffeehouse, Cheffie's Cafe) pay rent for dining spaces. Food trucks operate through agreements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and operates Shelby Farms Park, a 4,500-acre urban park in Memphis, Tennessee. The Conservancy provides free public access to trails, playgrounds, lakes, event venues, fitness programs, and recreational experiences, while generating revenue through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, venue rentals, memberships, and on-site restaurant partnerships to cover operating costs.

Product overview

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy operates and manages Shelby Farms Park, a 4,500-acre urban park in Memphis, Tennessee—one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The organization offers a diverse portfolio of recreational facilities, experiences, and services organized around outdoor recreation, wellness programming, events and venue rentals, and dining. Core recreational products include the Woodland Discovery Playground, Water Play Sprayground, Shelby Farms Greenline trail system, Hyde Lake with boat rentals, Go Ape Treetop Adventures, the Outback Off-Leash Dog Park, disc golf, and fishing. Event venues include the FedEx Event Center (7,200+ sq ft of flexible indoor space), Great Lawn and Outdoor Stage, multiple pavilions, and meeting rooms. Dining options include Coastal Fish Company (full-service restaurant) and Belltower Coffeehouse (grab-and-go cafe). The park also offers Park Friends membership, Get Outside! free fitness classes, and hosts signature events including the MEMPHO Music Festival and Star-Spangled Celebration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FedEx Event Center A versatile indoor venue with over 7,200 square feet of flexible space overlooking Hyde Lake, available for weddings, receptions, corporate events, meetings, and social gatherings. Features a private bridal suite, garden patio, and full catering kitchen.
• Pavilions and Picnic Areas Multiple outdoor pavilion rental options throughout the park including Hyde Lake Pavilion (~90 capacity), Tour de Wolf Pavilion (~100 capacity), Stables Pavilion (~100 capacity), Jones Pond (~75), Chickasaw (~50), Pine Lake (~30), and Beaver Lake (~30), available for group events and picnics.
• Visitor Center Meeting Rooms Meeting space including the Buffalo Room in the First Horizon Foundation Visitor Center, seating up to 32 guests at tables or 40 theater-style, with shared kitchenette available. Monday-Friday Full-day (8am-5pm): $550; Half-day: $350. Saturday/Sunday Full-day: $650; Half-day: $450.
• Great Lawn + Outdoor Stage A scenic outdoor event space beside Hyde Lake suitable for concerts, festivals, 5K races, outdoor movies, and team building activities.
• Woodland Discovery Playground An internationally recognized, sustainably designed playground offering interactive play experiences for children.
• Water Play Sprayground Outdoor water play splash pad area for cooling and recreation during warm weather.
• Shelby Farms Greenline A 10.65-mile urban trail connecting the park to the surrounding Memphis area for cyclists, pedestrians, and outdoor enthusiasts.
• Hyde Lake Boat House Facility offering canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals on the 80-acre Hyde Lake.
• Park Friends Membership Free membership program offering 10% discounts on boat rentals, bike rentals, Go Ape, horseback riding, paintball/laser tag, and gift shop purchases, plus insider newsletters and event invitations.
• Get Outside! Fitness Programs Free outdoor fitness classes including Yoga Flow, Line Dancing, Meditation, Kids Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Mat Pilates, and Adult Yoga, offered in partnership with Baptist Memorial Health Care, YMCA, Ballet Memphis, Club Pilates, and FIT4MOM.
• Field Trips and Educational Programs School field trips and educational programming offering Learn + Play experiences, guided tours, and mobile classroom visits for K-12 schools, youth groups, and educational organizations.
• Weddings and Event Planning Wedding and event planning services utilizing indoor and outdoor spaces including the FedEx Event Center, pavilions, and lakefront venues for couples seeking unique outdoor wedding settings with lakefront views and indoor ballroom options.
• Lake's Edge Gift Shop Gift shop located in the First Horizon Foundation Visitor Center offering park merchandise, books, and souvenirs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% of annual operating budget raised through private donations and partnerships
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Belltower CoffeehousecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 August 2023Beloved Memphis coffee shop opened second location in First Horizon Foundation Visitor Center (950 sq ft with indoor and outdoor seating) in fall 2023. Founded by Christopher Galbreath and Micah Dempsey. Fully funded by investors.
• Go ApecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 March 2020Go Ape operates the Treetop Adventure course and outdoor Axe Throwing at Shelby Farms Park. This is their first outdoor axe throwing location. They pay licensing/rental fees to operate these activities within the park.
• Coastal Fish Company (Tom Powers & Russ Graham)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2019Local restaurant operators opened Coastal Fish Company in the FedEx Event Center (4,792 sq ft interior + 3,200 sq ft patio) serving dinner daily plus brunch/lunch on weekends. They also operate Flight, Southern Social, and Porch & Parlor.
• Cheffie's CafecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 July 2019Custom salad and sandwich cafe opened third location in grab-and-go space at First Tennessee Foundation Visitor Center. Partners with SFPC to serve active park visitors with casual, fresh food options.
• Shelby CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2018Shelby County supported the new Appling Road Access Point connecting the Greenline to the Chickasaw trail inside the park. County Commissioners Steve Basar, George Chism and David Reaves supported the project.
• Jim Keras SubaruminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Outback Off-Leash Dog Park. Provides financial support in exchange for naming recognition and brand visibility at the dog park.
• First Horizon FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNaming rights sponsor of the First Horizon Foundation Visitor Center - the main welcome center for the park. Provides major capital and ongoing support.
• FedExcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNaming rights sponsor of the FedEx Event Center - the primary indoor event venue at the park.
• Kemmons Wilson FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Kemmons Wilson Foundation Welcome Center within the First Horizon Foundation Visitor Center.
• AutoZoneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the AutoZone Front Porch at the Visitor Center - outdoor seating area with brand recognition.
• El Mero TacominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperates the Food Truck Park at 6489 Mullins Station Road at Farm Road, featuring their trucks plus others they invite to participate.
• Baptist Memorial HospitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Get Outside! Fitness Programs at Shelby Farms Park.
• YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing Line Dancing fitness classes in the Get Outside! Fitness program series.
• Ballet MemphisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing Mat Pilates classes in the Get Outside! Fitness program series.
• Club PilatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing Saturday morning Mat Pilates classes in the Get Outside! Fitness program series.
• FIT4MOMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFitness and wellness organization providing classes for moms including stroller classes in the Get Outside! Fitness program series.
• Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransit authority connection to the park through the Greenline trail system providing alternative transportation access to the park.
• Big River PresentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromoter behind the MEMPHO Music Festival held at Shelby Farms Park in 2017 and 2018, drawing 10,000-20,000+ visitors per event.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Central Park Conservancy: The nonprofit organization that manages Central Park in New York City under a public-private partnership model. Highly comparable to Shelby Farms Park Conservancy in structure: 501(c)(3) raising private dollars to supplement public funding for a flagship urban park, with a donor base, volunteer programs, and venue/event revenue streams.
• Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy: Nonprofit that supports the Golden Gate National Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area. Comparable in operating large-scale public park assets through philanthropy, membership programs, volunteer engagement, and visitor programming.
• Prospect Park Alliance: Nonprofit conservancy that operates Prospect Park in Brooklyn under partnership with NYC Parks. Comparable operating model to Shelby Farms - private fundraising, volunteer engagement, event programming, and venue rentals supporting a large urban park.
• Friends of the High Line: Nonprofit conservancy maintaining the High Line elevated park in NYC. Comparable urban park conservancy model with fundraising, programming, concessions, and visitor experience focus, though at smaller scale and urban-vertical rather than 4,500-acre footprint.
• Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy: Nonprofit operating in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh to restore and enhance Pittsburgh's parks. Directly comparable in mission and public-private conservancy model, with similar reliance on private fundraising and volunteer engagement.

Broad incumbents

• National Park Foundation: The official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, raising private funds for national parks nationwide. Operates in adjacent park-conservation philanthropy space at a much larger national scale.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that works to create and protect parks and public land across the United States. Adjacent space in park creation and conservation, with broader national scope rather than operating a single local park like Shelby Farms.

Emerging players

• The Parklands of Floyds Fork (21st Century Parks): Nonprofit operating a 4,000+ acre park system in Louisville, Kentucky. Comparable scale and metropolitan greenway mission, but newer and emerging rather than the established base of Shelby Farms.

Regional players

• Memphis Botanic Garden: Regional nonprofit botanical garden operating in Memphis with public programming, events, and donor model. Comparable local nonprofit recreation/education venue that competes for the same Memphis donor and visitor audience.
• Atlanta BeltLine Inc. Nonprofit implementing a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails, parks, and transit around Atlanta. Comparable urban trail/park system with similar programming, sponsorships, and venue uses, though anchored in a different region than Shelby Farms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ShelbyFarmsPark
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/shelbyfarmspark
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShelbyFarmsPark
• Instagraminstagram.com/shelbyfarmspark
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shelby-farms-park-conservancy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shelby Farms Park Conservancy