Parks and Recreation

Planning Division

The Planning & Facilities Development Division of Metro Parks is responsible for managing the planning, design and construction of parks and park facilities throughout the Metro Parks system. Major planning and construction projects are listed alphabetically below, along with project updates.

Please contact the Planning Division staff with any questions.

Tim Netsch
Assistant Director for Planning & Facilities Development
tim.netsch@nashville.gov
(615) 862-8400

Al Corlew
Park Planner
al.corlew@nashville.gov
(615) 862-8400

Last updated in April 2011

Centennial Park

In 2010, Mayor Dean convened a committee of dedicated Nashvillians to work with the Conservancy for the Parthenon & Centennial Park and Metro Parks on the development of a master plan for Nashville’s premiere park. The resulting Centennial Park Master Plan presents an ambitious vision for the park’s future that also preserves its singular history. The master plan will be Implemented in phases and funded through public/private partnerships.

Countywide Parks & Greenways Master Plan

The Countywide Parks & Greenways Master Plan was adopted in 2002, after a complete evaluation of the system and a year of input from citizens throughout Davidson County. The plan recommended more than $260 million of improvements to the park system, including a number of new initiatives, and eliminating deferred maintenance to existing parks and facilities. Many of these recommendations have since been funded and implemented, with new community centers, greenways, nature centers, playgrounds and many other improvements now in place.

Metro Parks initiated a new round of public input during a master plan update, which was completed in July 2008.

2008 Parks & Greenways Master Plan Update
2002 Parks & Greenways Master Plan

Edgehill Pocket Park

The Edgehill Pocket Park consists of three blocks on Grand Avenue, two of which were closed to vehicular traffic in the 1970s. We anticipate implementing a first phase of the concept plan in mid-2011.

Greenways

The Greenways Commission of Metro Parks develops greenways countywide through the greenways division.  Contact Shain Dennison, Metro Parks Assistant Director, Greenways and Open Space, shain.dennison@nashville.gov

McCabe Park

The McCabe Park Community Center is now open to the public. Hours, programs and additional information can be found here:

Morgan Road Park

This 99-acre site in the Joelton area of northwestern Davidson County will be developed with a community center and outdoor recreational facilities. The existing buildings on the site are in the process of having hazardous materials removed and then being demolished. When the demolition phase is complete in late fall 2011, the existing playground will be opened to the public.

Metro Parks is currently soliciting proposals from architecture and construction teams to design and build the park improvements. The project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2012.

A public meeting was held on August 1 to provide the community with an update on the project and to solicit input on the design of the community center and park. The links below provide information from the August meeting.

A second public meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Joelton, 7140 Whites Creek Pike. Please park in Lot 2 and enter through the "Salt House" (former sanctuary through Entrance 3. Please join Metro Parks to discuss the planning and design of the community center and park.

August 1, 2011 Public Meeting

Richland Park

The Richland Park Master Plan was completed in 2008 and will be implemented as funding becomes available.

Riverfront Redevelopment

Redevelopment of the Cumberland River waterfront in downtown Nashville is a project of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, in coordination with Metro Parks.

Sevier Park

Funding has been allocated for for a new community center in Sevier Park. The design phase is currently underway and is scheduled to take six months, with a one-year construction phase to follow. The center is scheduled to open in the first half of 2013.

In addition to the design of the community center, the scope of work for the design team also includes a master plan for the entire 20-acre park. There is currently no funding for implementation of the master plan, but it is an opportunity to establish a long-term vision for the park and guide investment as future funding becomes available.

Three public meetings were held to discuss the project with the community.  The links below provide information on each meeting.

December 1, 2011 Pubic Meeting
October 10, 2011 Public Meeting
July 28, 2011 Public Meeting

Shelby Park

In 2009, Metro Parks -- along with hundreds of neighbors, stakeholders and interest groups -- embarked on a first-ever master planning process for Shelby Park. The resulting vision for the park will guide future investments in this important civic space, and maximize the park's potential. Metro Parks looks forward to continuing our partnership with the community on implementation of the master plan.

Phase One of master plan implementation is funded and planning and design will begin in summer 2011. The subsequent one-year construction schedule will allow the improvements to open for use by the public in the second half of 2012.

Saint Bernard Park

Located at 21st Avenue South and Bernard Avenue, the master plan for St. Bernard Park proposes walkways, site furnishings, landscaping, trellises, and the conversion of an existing stormwater detention pond into tiered raingardens. In addition, the plan is designed to accommodate the installation of public art and sculpture.

Phase One of master plan implementation has been completed and includes most of the infrastructure and basic landscape components of the master plan. Implementation of future phases is dependant on funding.

Southeast Nashville Park

This 22-acre park in the southeastern part of Davidson County off of Preserve Boulevard will help address the deficit of parkland in this quickly developing part of Nashville. The park is currently in design phase. A third public meeting to discuss the project and solicit input is scheduled for Thursday, October 6, 6:60 - 8:00 p.m. at Mount View Elementary School, 3820 Murfreesboro Pike in Antioch.

The Warner Parks

Friends of Warner Parks, in collaboration with Metro Parks, is currently developing a master plan for the Burch Reserve, which is a portion of the acreage acquire by Friends north of Highway 100. The entire acreage will eventually be added to Edwin Warner Park.

Additional information can be found at the Friends of Warner Parks web site.

Mountain Bike Trails

A spin-off from the Burch Reserve planning process has been the identification of approximately 120 acres in Percy Warner Park for the development of new, single-use mountain bike trails. Shared use with existing hiking and equestrian trails is not proposed.

In response to the need for additional mountain bike trails throughout Davidson County, Metro Parks convened in late 2010 a committee of representatives from IMBA, SORBA and Mayor Dean's Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee to look countywide at opportunities for mountain bike trail development. The committee is developing a working conceptual master plan that will include priorities and recommendations based on geographic distribution, skill level served, program opportunities and other factors. Planning for the Percy Warner mountain bike trails is being wrapped into this larger planning process. Metro Parks expects to be able to present the plan later this year.