Urban Greenways: Moving Nashville Forward
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Greenprint Spring 2018 • No. 20 A PUBLICATION OF GREENWAYS FOR NASHVILLE Urban Greenways: Moving Nashville Forward or 23 years, greenways have become central to Plan To Play — which included feedback from FNashville’s identity. The more than 87 miles of approximately 9,000 citizens — holds a vision for paved multi-use, off-street trails play an important Nashville’s urban greenway system, which includes role in the lives of many and have claimed space a combination of existing and proposed greenways, in our hearts. In short: we love our greenways, as creating “loops” within and around the urban core. pathways to personal health and wellness and to Segments include the existing Cumberland River restorative encounters with nature and wildlife. Greenway, a future 440 Greenway, and a partially R complete downtown loop. E IV But what if greenways R D N A became an even more es- L R Where Do You Want to Go? E B C M U sential part of the daily lives M U B C A recent survey found that 62% of Nashvillians E R of Nashvillians: as a way to L A N would be more likely to cycle or walk to public D R literally help us get from place IV ER transit if more greenways connected to transit to place — from work to home, stops. The urban greenway plan answers this call homeof to Nashschool, villiansneighborhood wo uld as it intersects with the city’s proposed transit to neighborhood?likely cycle or walk to public transit if moredevelopment. Thegr Plan.eenway s connectedSimple and available to all, the urban greenway As noted toin the tr ansitMetro Parksstop s system will create invaluable connections between Planned Urban Greenway System Department’s countywide the neighborhoods in which we live and work. And, R E IV R D master plan, Plan To Play, as more Nashvillians are able to build walking and N A L R E B C M U M U projected population growth, demographic shifts, biking into their daily lives — in accessible, function- C B E R L A N D densification of the urban core, and transportation al, and safe ways — we expect to see a meaningful R IV ER of Nashvillians would issues present new challenges and opportunities for impact on the health and wellness of our population. likely cycle or walk to our city. Plan To Play’s 10-year vision demonstrates public transit if more Stay tuned for updates, including developments on a commitment to connectivity with the unveiling of greenways connected the various phases of the project and the rollout of to transit stops an urban greenway system, comprising many new Planned Urban Greenway System a public campaign aimed at raising awareness and miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails that connect garnering financial support for this unprecedented Nashville’s many distinct urban neighborhoods urban greenway network. • and support a comprehensive solution for the city’s mounting transit demands. photo of stones river greenway by richard barrow Creating, preserving, and promoting Nashville’s greenways since 1994 Message from the Chairman Ann Tidwell, Chair of Metro Greenways and Open Space Commission he statistics are amazing: 80-100 people Tmove to the Nashville area every day, and “ Our greenway system is a jewel! over the next 20 years, the Nashville region is The greenway gives me a safe expected to grow by 1 million people. Every time I hear these numbers, I am grateful for the incred- and peaceful place to run and ible green space that Nashville has preserved, avoid the busy city streets.” and the greenway system that our great city has Greenways Commission PLAN TO PLAY SURVEY RESPONDENT Members begun. But as increasing population growth gener- Ann Tidwell, chair ates more density and buildings cover more and Peter Bird more of our vacant land, Nashville must increase able to easily take a daily walk on a greenway, for John Cooper our preservation of open spaces, save areas for residents to be able to grab their bikes and ride to Mark Deutschmann parks, and secure walkable connections before the grocery store on a greenway, and for families Brenda Gilmore they disappear. to take their children exploring on a Saturday Mary Beth Ikard afternoon on the greenway near their home. Kathleen Murphy While we are proud to say that 90% of Nashville Indeed, in a study done by Metro Nashville’s Plan Jeanie Nelson neighborhoods are within two miles of a green- To Play, Nashville citizens’ very first priority was to John Norris way, we are at a Monique Odom expand our greenway system. time in our rapidly Tom Palko growing city where We’re thrilled to see Nashville thrive as our city Stephanie Pruitt Jason Radinger it is imperative to becomes larger and more diverse. Let’s make Kevin Rhoten put a high prior- sure that as our population grows, so does the Colby Sledge ity on bringing that land set aside for parks and greenways. There Charles Sueing number to 100%, and has never been a more important time than now Tyler Yarbro aiming towards more to make sure that Nashville grows in a green and 90% OF staff: NASHVILLE'S greenways within healthy way! Cindy Harrison NEIGHBORHOODS one mile or less of are within two miles Thanks! Metro Parks Project of a greenway our neighborhoods. Manager, Greenways and Our vision is for every Open Space Division Nashvillian to be Ann Tidwell New Resource for Conserving Open Space n 2017, Metro established a new grant program to increase protection of Imore open space in Davidson County. Administered by the Greenways and Open Space Commission, the new Conservation Assistance Fund (CAF) grant program was funded by the Metro Council to help leverage private partner- ships in conservation. The CAF will assist with permanent conservation easements on private lands, as well as protect lands for use as future parks or other publicly-maintained natural areas with public access. The goals of the CAF include helping Metro Parks acquire over 4,000 additional public acres for parkland over the next ten years, and 2,500 additional private acres to be protected by 2021.• Shelby Bottoms Greenway 2 Greenprint • Spring 2018 Message from the President Pete Wooten, Board President, Greenways for Nashville his January, I was honored to take the helm As members of the Tas the Board President for Greenways for Transit Coalition, Nashville. As I step into this role, I’d first like to GfN is excited for the thank Mark Deutschmann, whose leadership potential of better as Board President over the last six years was transit options to be instrumental to the success of our organization. coupled with Metro’s Greenways for Nashville Thank you, Mark, for your vision and passion for Plan To Play vision of 53 MILES Board of Directors expanding our greenways throughout Nashville! building 53 miles of Pete Wooten, president OF NEW new greenways in the GREENWAYS Ann Tidwell, vice president On behalf of our board and staff, I also want to next ten years. called for in the Berry Brooks, treasurer extend our deep gratitude to greenways team next 10 years Jennifer Westerholm, champions Shain Dennison, who has retired America’s Health secretary from a stellar career at Metro Parks, and Emmie Rankings annual report for 2017 unfortunately Robert Brandt Thomas, the former Executive Director of GfN. ranked Tennessee among the unhealthiest states, Kelly Brockman Thank you, Shain and Emmie, for your commit- at number 45 of 50. Our greenways are one Martha Cooper Natasha Deane ment to our greenways. And please join me in of the most powerful tools we have to impact Mark Deutschmann welcoming our new Executive Director, Amy population health in Nashville now and in the Sandra Duncan Crownover, whose experience in conservation and coming decades. Whether for recreation or the Jim Forkum development has allowed her to hit the ground need to get somewhere, the greenways require Rep. Brenda Gilmore running. us to move. A quick search of the “benefits of Dr. Marie Griffin walking” reveals countless studies and articles on Now, as we enter a time where Nashville contin- Jacob Kassinger the tremendous benefits of walking on a regular ues to experience dynamic growth and becomes Sharon Kipp basis, and it doesn’t take much — plus, it’s free more of an urban environment, the importance Jeanie Nelson to all of us! As our greenways system grows and Donna Nicely of our greenways has never been more vital to becomes more heavily used, there is real oppor- John L. Norris our quality of life. Greenways are increasingly tunity to improve the population health of our city Susan Pogue becoming an important means of safe mobil- for generations to come. Phil Ponder ity for pedestrians and cyclists to connect to Ann Roberts neighborhoods, schools, employment, and our Thanks! Steve Sirls current and future transit system. Greenways are Eric Stroud dedicated corridors, away from traffic, that allow Charles Sueing safe passage for Nashvillians and our visitors. Pete Wooten Lyndsay Wilkinson Tyler Yarbro ex officio: New Staff Monique Odom, e are thrilled to announce that because of Director Metro Parks generous donors like you, we were able and Recreation W to grow our team in 2017, allowing us to do even Cindy Harrison, more to create, preserve, and promote greenways Metro Parks Project Manager, Greenways and across our city. We’re so glad to welcome aboard Open Space Division our new Executive Director, Amy Crownover; Program and Community Events Manager, Stephanie Schultz; Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Katie Alexander; and Business Accountant, Lisa Robertson. • Welcome to our new staff: Katie Alexander, Amy Crownover, Stephanie Schultz, and Lisa Robertson.