Friendly reminder from our Neighborhood Watch team: if you catch suspicious activity on your home camera, it can really help keep Evergreen safe. You can email videos and helpful details to Officer Trace Rice (trace.rice@memphistn.gov) and copy Officer Erick Cage (erick.cage@memphistn.gov). If you’re noticing an uptick in activity on your block, you can also request extra patrols by calling 901-636-4600.
If you see something suspicious or experience a property crime, even a small one, report it to the non-emergency line at 545-COPS. Your reports help direct police resources and protect our neighborhood. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to our Neighborhood Watch Coordinator at the Crump Station, Officer Melanie Dorsey, at melanie.Dorsey@memphistn.gov.
Security Good Practices
Program 545-COPS (545-2677) into your cell phone.
Look up and down Evergreen’s alleys every day as you walk, bike or drive by. Immediately report suspicious activity to the police.
Don’t leave intriguing items visible in your car. Stow it, don’t show it!
Lock your doors when you are in your yard.
Discourage walk-up workers by never hiring them – Hire folks recommended by your neighbors.
Use porch and other outdoor lights at night. Lights on motion detectors can help with security AND save energy.
Don’t look like a victim. Keep your head up, be alert, make eye contact, be aware of your surroundings.
When feasible, walk with a friend.
Close blinds where possible so would-be burglars can’t see potential loot.
Report street lights that are not working properly- Click here. If not repaired in 5 days, contact tword@mlgw.org
Mark lawn equipment, bicycles, etc. for identification. Keep serial numbers on file.
Planning an exterior improvement to your property? We love seeing investment in Evergreen’s historic homes. Because we are a local historic district, projects visible from the street may require approval from the Memphis Landmarks Commission (MLC). To find out if your project needs approval, contact Land Use and Development Services (LUDS) at 636-6619 or email a Preservation Planner through the MLC website.
EHDA’s Planning and Code Enforcement Committee also encourages residents to use LUDS’ free pre-application conference. This involves scheduling an appointment and bringing photos or draft plans of your project. It can save time, money, and frustration by helping you choose appropriate materials and address issues before submitting an application.
One of the highlights of this year’s Annual Membership Meeting was hearing from three of our community partners who are helping shape what’s next for Evergreen and the surrounding area. Their updates gave us an exciting look at what’s ahead in arts, culture, and outdoor spaces.
Crosstown Concourse
Erin Shelton shared updates from Crosstown Concourse, including progress on the new Satellite Music Venue, a 1,300-seat performance space being developed in partnership with Live Nation. In addition to bringing more live music to Memphis, the venue will support apprenticeships for Stax Academy students, offering hands-on experience on the production side of the music industry. Erin also noted that Crosstown is expanding its popular Better Together events, which continue to create opportunities for neighbors to gather and connect through food, music, and shared experiences. Did you know that you could use the Shared Art Making space at Crosstown? This workspace that provides everyone — from professionals to hobbyists — with common access to shared art-making facilities and equipment used in digital arts, music, woodworking, printmaking, and photography. Click here to find out how you can visit Shared Art. Visit crosstownconcourse.com to see their upcoming events.
Metal Museum
Madeline Miller announced exciting news about the Metal Museum’s future in Overton Park. Their new location will officially open on September 5, 2026, and Evergreen neighbors will be invited to take part in a special tour before the grand opening. The new building, which was formerly the Memphis College of Art, will allow the Metal Museum to expand its education programs and serve more students and visitors, strengthening its role as a regional center for metal arts and hands-on learning. The new location will also feature a cafe, an auditorium, and lots more space for studios, exhibits, storage, and more. The museum will keep its original French Fort location on the river for residency programs. For more information, visit the Metal Museum’s website – metalmuseum.org.
Overton Park Conservancy
Fields Falcone shared updates from Overton Park Conservancy, including the opening of the new trail in the Old Forest, giving visitors a fresh way to experience one of Memphis’s most special natural spaces. Overton Park is also offering a variety of events and volunteer opportunities throughout the year and is working on several improvement projects, including the addition of new sidewalks to enhance accessibility and safety for park users.
We are grateful to Erin, Madeline, and Fields for joining us and for the strong partnerships we share with Crosstown Concourse, the Metal Museum, and Overton Park Conservancy. To learn more about these projects and find upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, visit their websites and check out the full recap on our site. To learn more about ongoing projects and calendar of actives, visit overtonpark.org.
Looking Ahead: EHDA’s Strategic Plan for 2025–2028
During the meeting, the board shared a brief overview of the Evergreen Historic District Association’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan. Over the next three years, EHDA will focus on strengthening its foundation and engaging neighbors around the issues they care about most, with the goal of building a community where people feel connected, safe, and proud to call Evergreen home.
The plan centers on four priority areas: stronger governance, deeper community engagement, clearer communication and branding, and continued preservation of Evergreen’s historic character, infrastructure, and safety. To support this work, EHDA has refined its committee structure to encourage focused leadership, shared responsibility, and sustainable momentum. Expanded neighborhood events, improved communication tools, stronger partnerships, and ongoing investments in safety, beautification, and preservation all point toward a vibrant, well-connected future for Evergreen.
The committees are listed below. If you’re interested in joining a committee, please complete the form linked here and the committee lead will contact you.
Dessert Contest Winner
Congratulations to Peter Sittig, winner of this year’s neighborhood dessert contest with his standout grapefruit pie! We didn’t manage to snag a photo, but we’re excited to share Peter’s recipe and the YouTube video he used so you can try it at home.
Step 1: Preheat Oven to 350; Combine melted butter and processed graham crackers and push into pie tin with the bottom of a measuring cup or top of hands, ensuring even coverage of bottom and sides. Par-Bake for 15-20 minutes and let cool.
Step 2: While the pie crust is baking, make the curd. Combine 2 grapefruits worth of zest, eggs, condensed milk, the juices, and salt, which will be thin at first. Let the mixture sit for a couple minutes to thicken slightly. Re-mix the mixture briefly, and pour into the baked crust.
Step 3: Bake pie for 25-30 min or until the curd jiggles as one cohesive unit, and not as a “wave”. Let cool before putting in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
Step 4: Make whipped cream by combining cream, powdered sugar, and salt by whipping together until stiff peaks form. Spread the whipped cream on top of the pie.
Step 5: Zest a mix of citrus (lime, lemon, and grapefruit) on top, segmented grapefruit slices, and place on top. Add a splash of olive oil on top as desired.
WHERE: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1738 Galloway Avenue
Visit Santa
Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Claus will make a return visit to the Evergreen Neighborhood. Santa will be greeting families and friends at the front of Trinity United Methodist Church from 1-2 P.M. Santa Claus is looking forward to visiting with our young Evergreeners and all those who are young at heart.
Santa Claus and his elves have a few new tricks up their sleeves this year. Although Santa is keeping these new tricks close to his vest until closer to December 8th, the first 18 young Evergreeners will receive a special surprise. Santa loves candy canes so candy canes will still be available. Stay tuned to ENews for further details.
Please bring your Christmas list and be prepared to talk with Santa. Photographs with Santa are welcomed and encouraged.
Caroling
Join the fun and help keep Evergreen’s caroling tradition alive from 2-4 P.M. The carolers will sing to Evergreen neighbors to share the holiday spirit or to celebrate a birthday.
The 2024 Caroling Event will start and end at Trinity Unity Methodist Church.
EHDA will be providing a larger bus this year so more carolers, Santa Claus and the band can be easily transported from one caroling stop to the next. Santa Claus said last year the bus was filled with singing and laughter. We believe the same will be true this year. Cars are welcome to follow the mini bus.
Spread the Word
Please help us spread the word for the Holiday Event by talking to your neighbors and partnering with family and friends to attend. Santa Claus and the Holiday Event Committee are looking forward to seeing you on December 8!
WHERE: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1738 Galloway Avenue
Visit Santa
Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Claus will make a return visit to the Evergreen Neighborhood. Santa will be greeting families and friends at the front of Trinity United Methodist Church from 1-2 P.M. Santa Claus is looking forward to visiting with our young Evergreeners and all those who are young at heart. Please bring your Christmas list and be prepared to talk with Santa.
Photographs with Santa are welcomed and encouraged.
Caroling
Join the fun and help keep Evergreen’s caroling tradition alive from 3-4 P.M. The carolers will sing to Evergreen neighbors to share the holiday spirit or to celebrate a birthday.
The 2023 Caroling Event will start and end at Trinity Unity Methodist Church.
EHDA will provide limited transportation for the 2023 Caroling Event. Cars are welcome to follow the mini bus.
Spread the Word
Please help us spread the word for the Holiday Event by talking to your neighbors and partnering with family and friends to attend.
Santa Claus and the Holiday Event Committee are looking forward to seeing you on December 10!
5 tapas courses with matching wines, plus dessert. $100 per ticket, limited seating available and no tickets sold at the door. Proceeds will support your Evergreen Historic District Association. Don’t miss this delicious and fun opportunity to hang out with your neighbors! Groups wanting to be guaranteed seating together must purchase their tickets together in one transaction. We will do our best the day of the event to sit groups together if they purchased separate tickets, based on seating availability.
