Our Achievements
Nashville Parks Foundation ensures our city’s park system continues to thrive and grow with the needs of the city. We partner with Metro Parks’ and businesses to help service and grow the 178 parks and 27 community centers in the Nashville Metro Parks system. Check out some of our recent achievements below!
elmington park tennis courts
NPF secured private funding to renovate two tennis courts and provide additional court amenities, such as wind screens and benches.
Watkins park pump track
The pump track was created in partnership with Watkins Park Community Center, The Oasis Bike Workshop, Southern Off-Road Bike Association (SOBRA) and local foundations. The bike park is easily sustainable with low maintenance requirements, making it easy to manage and enjoyable long-term without a financial burden on the local government
Fort Negley Master Plan
NPF partnered with private funding to establish a long-term vision for the preservation, interpretation and development of the property as a public park encompassing 64 acres. Photo by Bob Henderson.
cleveland park community center recording studio
A new music studio providing opportunities to explore, create and record music for free was funded at Cleveland Park Community Center. The funds support the design, equipment and staff for after-school recording which expose youth to a variety of musical instruments as well as opportunities in the music industry.
Metro parks cultural arts, dance and music division
NPF awarded funding to Friends of Metro Dance for the completion of the Spectator/Creator project to allow a full production and provide 12 free performances.
The park at Madison station blvd.
NPF supported the design development of a new park adjacent to the Nashville Public Library - Madison Branch and the Fifty Forward Community Center, filling an open-space deficit.
DisABILITIES Programming
Partnering with the Joe C. Davis Foundation, NPF enhanced opportunities for adults with disabilities offering year-round activities four days a week that allow members to gain independence and learn new skills. This funding supported supplies for sports leagues in basketball, soccer and flag football as well as expanding programs in bocce and powerlifting. Supplies and support for new outdoor programs in canoeing, kayaking and sailing were also made possible by NPF grant funding.
Centennial Park Train
NPF awarded funding to Nashville Steam Preservation Society to help with the relocation and restoration of locomotive No. 576, better known as “Centennial Park Train.” Centennial Park is also home to the iconic Parthenon and many other recreational opportunities.
Cedar Hill Park Art Installation
NPF supported the public art campaign, the Nashville Tree Project, which raises awareness about emerald ash borer, an invasive insect that will destroy approximately 10% of Nashville’s ash trees in the next five years. The program commissions artists to transform select ash trees into works of art, giving these sick and dying trees a second life of vibrancy through a public art installation. Local artist Lindsy Davis is the artist who will work at Cedar Hill Park in Madison to design the sculpture. CLICK HERE to read more information about this initiative.
community center programming
A new visual arts program was created at Hadley Park Community Center instructing youth of all skill levels in pottery including hand building and sculpting. The classes included art form design as well firing and glazing techniques to expose the students to the full array of the ceramics category.
Funding was provided to all 28 community centers for organized sports programs serving 750 athletes from age 6-15 . These youth are able to participate in their local community center basketball, first-ever soccer and flag football sports leagues, which are located within walking distance of their homes, eliminating the transportation barrier experienced by many Nashville youth.
city wide events
NPF joined with the Shoba Foundation to host a day of awareness and entertainment surrounding anti-bullying strategies at Hadley Park. The day commenced with a Stop the Bullying Walk and continued with youth groups participating in dance and musical performances on the Hadley Park stage. Local organizations contributed activities including arts & crafts, educational outreach, recreational sports instruction and snacks. Over 250 youth participated in the event.
More Achievements
Ascend Amphitheater - NPF funded the acquisition of sound meters to monitor the volume of events at the Ascend Amphitheater.
Fannie Mae Dees Park - NPF awarded support to the Hillsboro West End Neighborhood Corporation for the Hillsboro West End Dragon Rehabilitation project.
Plan to Play - NPF supported the year-long master planning process by Metro Parks. Plan to Play charts a course for sustainable growth and expansion of Nashville’s park system for the next decade.
Metro Parks Community Center Programming - NPF awards grants to provide after-school and summer programming for sports, visual arts and music production.
Red Caboose Playground - Financial assistance was awarded to rebuild the playground located in Bellevue Park.
The Cultural Landscape Fund - NPF was a presenting sponsor for the “What’s Out There Nashville” guidebook, which provides photographs and details of 36 examples of Nashville’s rich cultural landscape legacy.