Greenways Projects
Alvin G. Beaman Park
This park, made possible by a generous donation from Sally Beaman,
encompasses some 1500 acres of beautiful and rugged terrain along
a linear ridgeline and its creeks and valleys in northern Davidson
County. The first phase of improvements are open, including
four miles of primitive hiking (no cycling) trails and picnic areas,
with access from Little Marrowbone Road. A nature center is
planned for construction in 2007/2008. The park in open during
daylight hours only.
Cumberland River Master Plan
In partnership with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Greenways
Commission developed a conceptual plan for a greenway system following
the entire length of the Cumberland River in Davidson County to be
anchored by large nature and passive recreation parks in the major
bends of the river including those at Peeler Park, Shelby Bottoms and
Bells Bend. This plan can be seen at the Greenways office. Currently,
there are several Metro Parks projects completed or underway on the
banks of the Cumberland, including a paved multi-use trail at Peeler
Park in Neely’s Bend and primitive trails at the new Bells Bend
Park, both set to open in spring of 2007, as well as other projects
detailed below. Additionally, an exciting redevelopment plan
for the downtown riverfront has been completed.
Cumberland River: Brookmeade Park at Kelley's Point Battlefield
This scenic and historic park on a bluff overlooking the Cumberland
features a one-half-mile trail leading to an overlook at the site of
a key Civil War battle between Confederate troops and Union Navy gunboats.
The site is also rich in early Native American history.
Cumberland River: Downtown Riverfront Park Connector
This one-mile urban multi-use trail connects the exciting downtown
riverfront area with the Tennessee Bicentennial Mall and Farmers Market.
Located along this route are restaurants, offices, historic sites,
shopping and entertainment areas. Maps
Cumberland
River: East Bank Greenway
This one-half mile trail adjacent to the football stadium provides
great views of the Cumberland river and downtown Nashville. It also
features interesting artworks reflecting the industrial history of
Nashville on the Cumberland. Maps
Cumberland River: Old Hickory Nature Trail
This 1.5 mile trail adjacent to the Old Hickory dam operated by the
US Army Corps of Engineers consists of a 0.3 mile paved section that
connects three short primitive nature trails. Boardwalks allow hikers
to travel through natural wetlands and a pond observation platform
provides views of wildlife.
Cumberland River: Shelby Street Bridge
The historic Shelby Street bridge, long the main connection between
downtown and the neighborhoods of East Nashville, has been renovated
for use as a pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle bridge. This exciting
project provides a scenic connection to attractions on the east and
west banks, breath-taking views of the city skyline and gathering
spaces for downtown events. Maps
Cumberland River: MetroCenter Levee Trail
A cooperative project with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, this
greenway provides over 3 miles of flat, close-to-the-river paved
trail in the heart of a booming industrial and office complex. Plans
for connecting this project to the exisiting Downtown Greenway are
in the final stages of design, with construction anticipated to be
underway in summer of 2007. Maps
Davidson Street Bicycle Connector
This 3.75 mile route includes both dedicated bike lanes and shared
roadways to provide bicyclists with a connection between downtown
and the Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Nature Park. Maps
Harpeth River Greenway
Currently, this greenway consists of a one and a half mile trail
with over 800 feet of boardwalk along Morton Mill Road. It provides
scenic overlooks of the Harpeth River and quiet sitting areas along
its length. The current expansion of this project includes a new
trailhead at Old Harding Road reached by a lakeside trail at the
Riverside neighborhood at Old Harding and Morton Mill roads. Future
expansions in the design phase include an extension to retail areas
in Bellevue and a new segment targeted for construction in summer
of 2007 from Warner Parks, across the Ensworth High School campus
along the river, to the Bellevue Exchange Club ball field complex. Maps
This one and a half-mile paved trail is adjacent to the Riverwalk and Parkview neighborhoods on the Harpeth River near the Newsom's Station community. It is accessible from a small parking lot (trailhead under development) on Westvale Drive off Bending River Drive.
Mill
Creek Greenway
This greenway currently includes two complete segments, one at
Blue Hole Road and the other at Ezell Park, described below, and
one under development at Thompson Lane. Maps
Blue Hole Road
Beginning at the new Antioch Community center, this greenway offers
a one-mile paved loop through forests, meadows and wetlands along
Mill Creek and Whittemore Branch, with another mile along Mill
Creek toward Haywood Lane. The trail also connects Antioch Middle
School and neighborhood recreational facilities.
Ezell Park
This one-mile paved trail follows Mill Creek along one of its more
scenic stretches. The trail is convenient to the new southeast police
station, as well as many businesses. The connection between this
existing trail and the Blue Hole Road segment is currently under
development.
Richland Creek Greenway
The first one mile segment is open and can be accessed from two trailheads,
one on Sloan Road at McCabe Golf Course and the other at the NES
substation on White Bridge Road. The second segment is scheduled
to open in spring 2007 and will expand the trail to connect the neighborhoods
of Sylvan Park and Cherokee Park with the shopping centers and entertainment
areas and schools along White Bridge Road, with trailheads at Target
on White Bridge Road and at Olliewood off Wyoming in Sylvan Park. This
two and a half-mile greenway provides a scenic, natural experience
in the midst of a bustling community. To volunteer to participate
in the Richland Creek Trail Watch/Adopt the Trail Program, contact Renee Bates. Maps
Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Nature Park
One of the true jewels of Metro’s Park and Greenway system,
this 810 acre park offers 5 miles of paved multi-use trails and another
5 miles of primitive hiking trails. Along the trails, visitors can
enjoy boardwalks, scenic overlooks, interpretive stations and seven
rustic bridges. The area is well known as a haven for migrating birds
and other wildlife and a new nature center is under development to
be located near the railroad trestle trailhead at Shelby Bottoms. Individuals
interested in participating as volunteers with the Shelby Bottoms
Trail Watch/Adopt the Trail effort should contact Renee Bates of Greenways
for Nashville. Maps
Stones River Greenway
This ambitious project, two-thirds complete, adds over 9 miles of paved
multi-use trail to Metro’s growing network of greenways. Starting
at the Percy Priest Dam, this trail follows the Stones River, connecting
neighborhoods, shopping areas, schools and parks, until it reaches
the Cumberland River where it will connect across the river to Shelby
Bottoms.
The three-mile segment between J. Percy Priest Dam and Lake and Lebanon
Road, and its one-mile spur to the YMCA, is complete as well as the
two-mile segment that runs through Two Rivers Park between the Heartland
Park trailhead to the recently renovated Wave Country pool and Metro
Skatepark.
The final third of the project, a segment between Lebanon Road and
Heartland Park, is under construction (and NOT open for public access
yet) and targeted for completion in summer 2007.
The crossing of Lebanon Road will be the last connection to be made;
it will be done upon completion of a new west bound bridge over the
Stones River at Lebanon Road by the Tennessee Department of Transportation
when the existing old green truss bridge will be converted to pedestrian
and bicycle use only for the greenway.
Also, construction has begun on the Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge
that will connect the Stones River Greenway to Shelby Bottoms. This
bridge is targeted for completion in late 2007 or early 2008.
To participate in the Stones River Trail Watch/Adopt the Trail Program,
contact Renee Bates. Maps
Currently about one mile is complete with a trailhead at Hartman Park and is being expanded toward the Clarksville Highway. It will connect the neighborhoods of Bordeaux and North Nashville with the library and shopping areas along Clarksville Highway. This trail, anchored by the newly renovated Hartman Community Center, will provide two miles of paved multi-use greenway along a beautiful creek. Interested citizens can get involved with this project by contacting the Bordeaux/Whites Creek Greenway Alliance at 615-876-8865. Maps