MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Berclair man who played a major role in reviving a neighborhood park and his community is now facing the possibility of losing his home across the street from the beloved green space.
Despite battling muscular dystrophy, most days Chris Collier can be seen driving his golf cart around Gaisman Park picking up trash, and others have followed his lead.
“When we first got here 14 years ago, it wasn’t really an active part. It didn’t have a lot of maintenance. There weren’t a lot of activities that were family-friendly,” said Collier. “There were a lot of kids here, but there wasn’t guidance, so there were issues, but now we have babies and families.”
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Now he says they have a great soccer program, a new community center, and a space where families feel safe. Neighbors said Collier and his wife, who ran the volunteer group “Friends of Gaisman Park,” are responsible for much of that.
“Being the community liaison between the people and the government or the city to figure out what this community center needs to provide to its people. He’s played a huge part,” said Dr. Tera Tongumpun…