Nashville.gov

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 and can be viewed online at www.nashville.gov/mpc/riverfront/.

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

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 jane.laub@nashville.gov. 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 Jane Laub of Greenways for Nashville at jane.laub@nashville.gov. 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 jane.laub@nashville.gov. Maps