Chickasaw Garden Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Chickasaw Garden Park is a public park located in Memphis, Tennessee, with an area of 29 acres.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike due to its beautiful gardens, walking paths, and recreational activities. The park is known for its diverse plant life, including over 100 species of trees, as well as its various water features, including a lake and several ponds.

One of the most popular attractions in the park is the Japanese Garden, which was designed in 1964 by Dr. P. T. Tono. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll through the garden while admiring the authentic Japanese architecture, koi ponds, and waterfalls. Another popular feature is the Rose Garden, which contains over 500 varieties of roses.

In addition to the gardens, Chickasaw Garden Park also offers amenities such as a playground, picnic area, and tennis courts. Visitors can also rent paddleboats to enjoy a relaxing ride on the lake.

Interesting facts about the park include its history as the former estate of the Piggly Wiggly founder, Clarence Saunders. The park was later donated to the city of Memphis by Saunders' family in 1952. The park also has a rich history as a popular location for civil rights protests during the 1960s.

The best time of year to visit Chickasaw Garden Park is in the spring and summer months when the gardens are in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers different experiences during each season. In the fall, visitors can enjoy the changing colors of the trees, while winter brings a peaceful tranquility to the park.

Overall, Chickasaw Garden Park is a beautiful and serene destination in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, offering a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks