Projects

In 2024, Friends of McCabe Park partnered with Nashville Parks Foundation to complete an overhaul of their existing playground that was small, dated, and posed safety concerns.  

The project began with a full site evaluation conducted in partnership with Hawkins Partners.  It was time for the playground to match the needs of the community. The new playground opened on May 15, 2026. Community-funded, and built for everyone who uses and loves McCabe Park.

NPF secured private funding to renovate two tennis courts and provide additional court amenities, such as wind screens and benches.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. more info

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 ages 6-15. These youth can 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.

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.