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What and where is the Cooper-Young Garden Walk?

A self-guided, self-paced tour of 80+ eclectic, private gardens + businesses highlighting urban gardening throughout the vibrant Cooper-Young historic district neighborhood. Visitors will see edibles, chickens, herbs, water features, art, native plants, whimsy, she-sheds, composting, a backyard theatre and imaginative plantings.

Our walk is non-competitive and open to any gardener in Cooper-Young, from the beginner to seasoned gardener. Look for the teal garden walk signs in front of open gardens.

What are the times, dates, and cost of the garden walk? Is there a rain date?

The Cooper-Young Garden Walk is 9 am to 4 pm, May 15-16, 2021.  Rain or Shine. 
Tickets are good for both days

There are 3 TICKET OPTIONS:

  • On-line ticket sales: Begin online in January 2021
  • Snail Mail —Check Payable to: Cooper-Young Garden Club, C/O Bob Morrison, Treasurer, 978 River Breeze Drive,
    Memphis TN 38103-8926 (memo line: CYGW TICKETS)
  • Ticket outlets: (Check only, payable to Cooper-Young Garden Club,  memo line: CYGW tickets).

TICKET PRICES:

  • $20, Feb – May 5th Early Bird General Admission. (Get entered into weekly drawings for fun prizes).
  • $25, May 6- May 17.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

How will I see that many gardens?

Most likely you won’t be able to.  No problem. If you focus on seeing the SECRET GARDENS, (showing both front and back gardens), you’ll see amazing gardens, each with different personalities.  Come both days, and see as many as you like. The main thing is to enjoy the experience!  Walk, Bike, Drive, or ent a scooter..  

 

What else will I see?
  • Garden speakers and demonstrations
  • Educational Booths
  • Botanical Art Vendors
  • Garden raffles
  • Artist Studios, chickens, beekeeping, composting, edibles
  • Many kinds of raised beds, a Tower Garden, and a wormery
Where are the headquarters, atms, and restaurants located?
  • Purchase your tickets, pick up maps, and buy t-shirts at the Gazebo Headquarters at the corner of Cooper + Young.
  • There are 28 award-winning restaurants in the neighborhood, many offering special discounts to visitors,.
  • City Market, 836 Cooper Street, has an indoor atm machine.
Where do I park? Can I bring my bike?
  • There is ample parking along all the streets in the neighborhood.
  • Yes, The Cooper-Young neighborhood is bike friendly. Park your bike at any of the Ginkgo Leaf bike racks in front of businesses, then walk to the gardens.
  • You can also sign up for a guided bike tour of 20+ specially selected gardens. Sat. May 15, 2021,  at 1000 Cooper Street.
  • You can rent bikes at Revolutions Bike Co-op, 1000 Cooper, at the bike arches.
  • There are electric scooters/electric bikes around the neighborhood for rent.
Can I bring dogs, strollers, or wheelchairs?
  • Well-behaved dogs on leashes are permitted ONLY if the garden sign says so. Please respect the homeowner’s request and clean up after your pet. Thank you for understanding.
  • Not all gardens are conducive to strollers or wheelchairs because of narrow paths or walkways.  Check the garden sign for any limitations.
What should I bring with me?
  • Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen +/or hat, camera, rain poncho, sunglasses, water bottle, and a notebook and pen to jot down plant names and notes. A cloth bag for handouts, snacks, and purchases.
Fun Facts about the Cooper-Young Neighborhood
  • Named” 1 of top 10 Neighborhoods” by American Planning Association, 2012
  • 1600+ architectural gems (bungalows, Queen Anne, Second Empire, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and charming, colorful Shotgun houses)
  • Tree-lined streets, certified level 3 arboretum, with 117 labeled trees in front gardens
  • Neighborhood Entrance – 150′ steel sculpture celebrating Cooper-Young architecture
  • 2121 Central Ave. – Site of Piggly Wiggly #21 Store, dated 1925-1945
  • 2166 Central Ave. – Railgarten – site of old Memphis Ice House – newly fashioned into outdoor performance venue, ping pong parlor, ice cream shop and diner.
  • 2169 Central Ave. – Palladio Antiques + Fountains – site of Laukhuff Stained Glass for many years, numerous old parcels now renovated into Memphis largest Antique and Design District.
  • 2304 Central Ave. – Flashback – in 1920 was a chicken hatchery – oldest vintage retail shop in Memphis since 1984 catering to the likes of Bob Dylan etc.
  • 878 S. Cooper – Memphis Drum Shop – site of original Peabody Theatre, now host to internationally known drum and cymbal retail store and largest collection of gongs in US
  • 933 S. Cooper – The House of Mews – oldest, continuous non-profit cat sanctuary in the US
  • 999 S. Cooper – Johnny Cash Historic Marker Statue
  • 1015. S. Cooper – Galloway Church . –(1954)  site of 1st performance of Johnny Cash and Tennessee Two
  • 2216 Evelyn Ave. – M. O. Davidson House, circa 1925, Bungalow with Moorish Influences, National Registrar 1989
  • 2100 Young – Captain Harris House , circa 1898, steamboat Captain
  • 2152 Young – Goner Records –  internationally known vintage record store and recording label.  Top 10 Recording Studio in US – Rolling Stone Magazine

Entertainment District

  • 187 small business, including 45 retail shops
  • largest antique and design district in Memphis
  • live music 
  • antique books, vintage clothing, rare vinyl records, custom drum kits
  • 28 restaurants–open air cafes, award winning eateries, breweries, diverse cuisine:
    • seafood, cajun, vegan, Irish Pub, sushi, Mexican, soul food, Korean + American BBQ, homestyle cooking, fusion, bohemian coffee shop, handcrafted cocktails 
I am coming from out of town. Where can I find lodging?
What other attractions are nearby?
Plan to arrive a few days early or stay later to take advantage of the many tourist attractions Memphis has to offer, including the iconic Johnny Cash statue. Be sure to check out MemphisTravel.com for tips on where to visit, eat and learn about fun activities for all ages. 

How do I get there?
Directions from:

  • Traveling I-55: Information coming soon
  • Traveling I-40: Information coming soon.
  • Bus Routes to Cooper-Young:  #2 and #35. Use TransLoc App to plan your route and track real-time bus arrivals.

Distances from:   Downtown: 14 minutes, 4.9 miles          Airport: 11 minutes, 5.1 miles

Where do the proceeds go?

The Cooper-Young Garden Walk raises money to beautify our community through both garden club projects and by funding “Block Beautification Grants”. The Cooper-Young Garden Club is a 501(c)3 organization.

Your purchase of garden walk tickets, along with the generous support of our sponsors, will make that goal possible. 

More Questions?
Contact Garden Walk Committee at: cooperyounggardenclub@gmail.com  or call 901-299-5887.
Media Ticket Requests

Press / Media Members:  please fill out our media request form for tickets. 

Media credentials and/or identification will be required to pick up tickets. 

Media Coverage Requests:
Now is also the time to begin thinking about your media coverage for the Garden Walk and the interviews that you will need leading up to May 15th, 2021. Interview requests come quickly but the earlier we know, the better we can coordinate. We’ve already completed multiple interviews for stories that will be published leading up to the 2020 Garden Walk so don’t hesitate to ask! We’d love to coordinate any requests between now and the weeks leading up to the walk.

Cooper-Young Garden Walk Release for Usage:
Garden Walk tickets also make an appreciated Mother’s Day gift as they support a great cause – neighborhood beautification projects. We would love to be included in any upcoming articles your outlet may have about Mother’s Day gifts. 

If you have any questions, please contact:

Kim Halyak
Chair
Cooper-Young Garden Walk
kimhalyak@me.com
901-299-5887

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