John F. Kennedy Park

35.19582 , -89.91466

United States of America (USA)

John F. Kennedy Park is part of the Memphis Parks System and also has a section of the Wolf River Greenway Trail that runs through the west side of the park along the Wolf River.  This park is predominately bottomland hardwood forest there are also athletic fields for baseball/softball and soccer.  There is a boardwalk trail on the North end of the park as well as a dirt trail tha runs parallel to the paved greenway trail thath runs north/south throuth the park.  Woodland species are typical to this park including all 7 woodpecker species, a wide variety of warblers can sparrow can be found here as well during the proper seasons.  This site is not frequently birded by many people, but it has been a stop during the Christmas Bird Count for the Memphis Circle for many years. You can check out the bird list for this location on eBird with this link.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were changed by Ryan Pudwell : 35.1958/-89.9147 (2025-03-07 15:49:49 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 35.1947/-89.9148 (2021-02-05 20:10:02 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "John F. Kennedy Park" (2021-02-05 20:10:02 )

Edited by Ryan Pudwell on 2025-03-07 15:53:00
John F. Kennedy Park is part of the Memphis Parks System and also has a section of the Wolf RIver River Greenway Trail that runs through the west side of the park along the Wolf River.  This park is predominately bottomland hardwood forest there are also athletic fields for baseball/softball and soccer.  There is a boardwalk trail on the North end of the park as well as a dirt trail tha runs parallel to the paved greenway trail thath runs north/south throuth the park.  Woodland species are typical to this park including all 7 woodpecker species, a wide variety of warblers can sparrow can be found here as well during the proper seasons.  This site is not frequently birded by many people, but it has been a stop during the Christmas Bird Count for the Memphis Circle for many years. You can check out the bird list for this location on eBird with this link.
Edited by Ryan Pudwell on 2025-03-07 15:49:49
John F. Kennedy Park is part of the Memphis Parks System and also has a section of the Wolf RIver Greenway Trail that runs through the west side of the park along the Wolf River.  This park is predominately bottomland hardwood forest there are also athletic fields for baseball/softball and soccer.  There is a boardwalk trail on the North end of the park as well as a dirt trail tha runs parallel to the paved greenway trail thath runs north/south throuth the park.  Woodland species are typical to this park including all 7 woodpecker species, a wide variety of warblers can sparrow can be found here as well during the proper seasons.  This site is not frequently birded by many people, but it has been a stop during the Christmas Bird Count for the Memphis Circle for many years.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera)

Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) was added by Ryan Pudwell (2025-03-07 21:41:30)

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) was added by Ryan Pudwell (2025-03-07 21:40:54)

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) was added by Ryan Pudwell (2025-03-07 21:40:35)

  • Timing and strategy

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Not available yet
  • How to get there

Enter from Raleigh Lagrange Rd.  The best parking is near the playground.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Ryan Pudwell on 2025-03-07 21:42
Enter from Raleigh Lagrange Rd.  The best parking is near the playground.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset year round. The boardwalk trailhead can be found by walking straight down the hill from the right side of the plaground if you are facing the playground from the parking lot.  As you enter the woods take the trail that goes directly west to get to the boardwalk.  Alternately you can use the disk golf trails to make a loop by following the disk golf trails to the left until you cross behind the baseball fields you will eventually run into a gravel driveway take a right on the gravell driveway to get to the Wolf River Greenway Trail. If you take a right on the Greenway Trail it will lead you back to the other end of the boardwalk trail.  After you cross the power easement while heading north the boardwalk trail should be to your right take it to return to where you parked. 

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Ryan Pudwell on 2025-03-07 21:49
The park is open from sunrise to sunset year round. The boardwalk trailhead can be found by walking straight down the hill from the right side of the plaground if you are facing the playground from the parking lot.  As you enter the woods take the trail that goes directly west to get to the boardwalk.  Alternately you can use the disk golf trails to make a loop by following the disk golf trails to the left until you cross behind the baseball fields you will eventually run into a gravel driveway take a right on the gravell driveway to get to the Wolf River Greenway Trail. If you take a right on the Greenway Trail it will lead you back to the other end of the boardwalk trail.  After you cross the power easement while heading north the boardwalk trail should be to your right take it to return to where you parked. 
  • Other attractions

Disk Golf Course

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Ryan Pudwell on 2025-03-07 22:18
Disk Golf Course

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Not available yet

While making use of the trails I rarely come across other people unless I am using the disk golf trails to get around.  Parts of the park have been recently remodelled, but there are often people just hanging out in their cars, likely some "free enterprise" taking place.  The playground area is by far the most public spot to park.   I would recommend bringing a friend if you are unfamailiar with this location.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Ryan Pudwell on 2025-03-07 22:18
While making use of the trails I rarely come across other people unless I am using the disk golf trails to get around.  Parts of the park have been recently remodelled, but there are often people just hanging out in their cars, likely some "free enterprise" taking place.  The playground area is by far the most public spot to park.   I would recommend bringing a friend if you are unfamailiar with this location.
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