Mud Island is a small peninsula located in Memphis, Tennessee.[1] It is bordered by the Mississippi River to the west and the Wolf River Harbor to the east. Mud Island River Park is located within the Memphis city limits, 1.2 miles from the coast of downtown, and includes a museum, restaurants, an amphitheater, and a residential area.[2] It is accessible by the Memphis Suspension Railway (a monorail), by foot (via a footbridge located on top of the monorail), kayak, paddle board, or automobile.[1] Activities on Mud Island include concerts, performances, kayaking, paddle boarding, and biking.[3] The park is currently controlled by the Riverfront Development Corporation.[2] Admission to the park is free.[1]
Mud Island River Park is located on the south end of the peninsula. It was opened in 1982. Mud Island River Park includes bike trails, paddleboats, and kayaks, as well as a hydraulic scale model of the lower Mississippi River from Cairo, Illinois to New Orleans.[1]
The hydraulic scale model of the Mississippi River on Mud Island is referred to as the Riverwalk. The replica is carved out of cement to provide a scaled model of the Mississippi River. The model is 2,000 feet long and includes plaques with details about the river’s history throughout.[4][5]
The Mississippi River Museum is located on Mud Island. It includes 18 galleries and exhibits. It presents the history of the lower Mississippi River Valley over the span of the last 10,000 years. The museum also displays over 5,000 artifacts.[6]
The Mud Island Amphitheater is a concrete outdoor amphitheater that seats up to 5,000 people. The structure has been used for concerts and shows since it was built in 1982.[7]
The northern portion of Mud Island ("Harbor Town") includes mansions, single-family homes, and apartment complexes.[8] The total population of Harbor Town is 14,648.[9]
Harbor Town offers various trails and ponds, as well as a shopping district and a private school.[10][11] Harbor town also offers a dog park that allows for dogs to be let off the leash.[10]
Kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent on Mud Island at Fourth Cup coffee kiosk in the River Garden.[3] They are available every day of the week during the day of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.[3] There is also a portion of the Wolf River Greenway on Mud Island that provides a trail for walking, running, or biking.[12]
Mud Island Amphitheater has been used to host concerts and shows since it was built in 1982 but has gone unused since 2018.[7] The city of Memphis is putting $4 million towards renovations on the amphitheater so it can be used as a concert venue again. [13]
A few artists that have performed there are Bob Dylan, Journey, Eric Clapton, and Peter Frampton.[14]
The River Inn of Harbor Town also offers three different restaurants including Paulette’s Restaurant, Tug’s Casual Grill, and Terrace at the River Inn.[15] Café Eclectic also has one location in Harbor Town.[16]
The main grocery store on Mud Island, located in Harbor Town, is Cordelia's Market.[17]
Around the year 1899, Mud Island had been formed by a buildup of silt, gravel, and sand.[18] It was originally referred to as “City Island” until the 1950’s. Mud Island became the location of the Memphis Downtown Airport in 1959 and was used primarily by wealthy businessmen to access Downtown Memphis.[18] In 1960, the Wolf River Levee was used to divert the flow of the Wolf River.[12] The airport was shut down in 1970 due to the construction of the Interstate 40 bridge.[18] In 1976, the architect responsible for the Memphis International Airport and Memphis College of Art came up with a project to turn 50 acres of property owned by the city into a destination that would attract locals and tourists alike.[2] The proposed name for the park was “Volunteer Park,” but was named “Mud Island Park” when it was opened on July 4, 1982.[2]
The park has been run by several different groups including the Park Commission, The Parks Division, Sidney Shlenkner, and the RDC (Riverfront Development Corporation).[2] The RDC is has been in charge of running the park since 2000.[2]
On October 1, 2020 a break-in at the Mississippi River Museum was reported to police. Over $50,000 worth of historical artifacts were stolen shortly after the museum shut down due to theMemphis Sign (2021)COVID-19 pandemic. The burglar(s) have yet to be found as of February 2021.[19]
On Sunday, January 23, 2021 human bones were found scattered in an area of tall grass near the large Memphis sign, located on the southern end of the peninsula, by a landscaping crew.[20] The remains were found in an area that tends to be covered with water at different points in the year, and the police stated the remains may have washed up from the Mississippi River, but it is still unknown at this point.[21] The police have yet to release any further information on the case as of February 21, 2021.[21]
