Neighbors invest in parks

Residents offer suggestions; friends groups raise funds
THE TENNESSEAN • February 20, 2009

From new community centers, to gathering information for master plans, improvements are coming to popular West and East Nashville Metro Parks.
East Nashville residents are currently working with Metro Parks officials to create a plan that will be a guide for future development in Shelby Park. Many residents agree there is room for improvement to the existing park and have suggested ball field enhancements, parking improvements as well as preserving the park's historic character.
Others recommend new features like a multi-use sports/special events field, pedestrian and bicycle improvements along with a driving range.
"It's an exciting process," said Laura Creekmore, who lives near Shelby Park and is the vice president of the Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms organization.
"The park is a jewel because it's large and diverse and sits in the middle of an urban area. It's very appropriate that the park department undertakes this kind of plan. They solicited a lot of input so everyone's voice can be heard."
Residents' input needed
As one of the city's oldest parks, Shelby Park's first 151 acres opened to the public in 1912. The park hosted the first city baseball league in 1915 and remains home to Nashville's oldest municipal golf course, which opened in 1924.
Two additional public meetings are scheduled, the next one for Thursday, March 5.
"Input from current and new users is essential because it helps us determine the best allocation of capital resources, greenspace and programs," said Jackie Jones, spokeswoman for Metro Parks.
Although funds are not immediately available to implement the master plan, park officials are optimistic that resources will be available in the future.
Changes come to West
Renovations planned for the McCabe Community Center in Sylvan Park are being finalized, said Curt Garrigan, assistant director of Metro Parks. Construction could start as early as this spring.
The current center, at 46th Avenue North and Murphy Road, will be demolished and residents can utilize Hadley or West parks in the interim.
"The McCabe Community Center would be a great improvement for the neighborhood," said Rob Robinson, a Sylvan Park resident. "The plans I've seen look like a building that neighbors would be more likely to use and that would be likely to draw visitors from other nearby neighborhoods."
Friends groups are vital
The creation of a Shelby Park Master Plan comes on the heels of the recent approval of the Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms organization. A friends group, which must be approved by the park board, operates under the board's authority and must report fundraising, membership and projects for approval and annual review.
"We want to work to protect and support the park and also represent the constituents who use it," Creekmore said. "It's good timing that we are forming this organization as the park department is turning their attention to Shelby Park. We want to make sure the voice of the community is heard."
As city budgets become increasingly stretched, the friends groups are vital to the parks system. Similar organizations have formed at Parmer in Belle Meade, Centennial, Edwin and Percy Warner, Beaman and Greenways for Nashville, among others.
Friends of Warner Parks are moving forward with the purchase of the 324-acre H.G. Hill-owned property home to an old growth forest. They have collected $9.4 million, but still lack the $1.6 million needed to close the deal. Plans are to deed the land to Metro to become part of Warner Parks.
In 1996-97, the group raised almost $5 million to build the Warner Park Nature Center near the junction of Old Hickory Boulevard and Highway 100 South and two years ago, collected $5 million to buy 130 acres on Highway 100 to preserve the park's views.
"Friends groups are important and can help with some private fundraising and some maintenance, which takes the burden off of Metro," said Curt Garrigan, assistant parks director.
"They are mostly important for advocacy and maintaining a sense of ownership on the part of community."
Other news on parks
Belmont University's plans to invest roughly $6 million for the upgrade and use of Edgehill's Rose Park are stalled pending a ruling from the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Neighbors, who contend their concerns have not been heard, have challenged the shared use agreement, which was approved in 2007 by all necessary Metro governmental boards. The university was given approval to build baseball, softball, soccer and track fields to upgrade the worn city park.
In November 2007, some Edgehill residents challenged Metro's approval, but the Chancery Court dismissed the claims and ruled in favor of the city and Belmont.
Belmont officials are continuing to work with architects and contractors so they will be ready to begin once a decision has been reached, said Jason Rogers, vice president of administration at Belmont.
Metro Parks plans to redevelop St. Bernard Park at 21st and Bernard avenues. The park would include walking paths, flowers, shrubs and trees, said Tim Netsch with Metro Parks. A group of neighbors is working to bring temporary sculpture exhibits to the park, he said.
West Nashville neighbors recently told Metro Planning Department officials that they want to see more greenway connections between their neighborhoods and the Warner parks. They also want to extend Richland Greenway alongside Richland Creek.
In 1996-97, the group raised almost $5 million to build the Warner Park Nature Center near the junction of Old Hickory Boulevard and Highway 100 South and two years ago, collected $5 million to buy 130 acres on Highway 100 to preserve the park's views.