According to Memphis Zoo president and CEO Chuck Brady, the zoo’s move to Chancery Court does not damage efforts to mediate the dispute between the zoo and the Overton Park Conservancy. Attorneys from both sides are preparing their arguments for court, but there is still hope the issue could be resolved through mediation. Brady believes court prep and mediation can co-exist, as the overall goal is to find common ground between the two organizations.

The conflict involves the Overton Park Greensward. The zoo wants a declaratory judgement from the Chancery Court for legal control of the northern portion of the greensward, which it claims to have had control of the area for overflow parking since the mid ‘80s. The conservancy believes it has control of the entire greensward according to the 2012 agreement it shares with the city.

The city of Memphis is still committed to the mediation process and hopes everyone involved can find a mutually beneficial solution. The city is named in the lawsuit because it owns the property. According to city officials, the lawsuit is designed so the court will determine the rights and obligations of everyone involved under all applicable agreements, and they further point out the zoo is not seeking any sort of financial settlement in the lawsuit.

The dispute has delayed at least on zoo exhibit, which was originally set to open March 1^st. Now zoo officials are saying it likely won’t open until April, once the parking issues are sorted out with Overton Park.