Greenprint Spring 2019 • No. 21 A PUBLICATION OF GREENWAYS FOR NASHVILLE Making Connections on Nashville’s Greenways t does not take long to look around Nashville and • They also provide a safe corridor for pedestrians Isee that we are in a period of dynamic change and cyclists to move in our city safely, away from and growth. Announcements of corporate reloca- traffic. tions and new commercial and residential develop- As important as all of those things are, our ments are in the air. Big things are happening in greenways also provide a real sense of place and our built environment and people from all over the connection in Nashville. That may be the most country (and world) are discovering that Nashville is critical thing for us to consider at this moment. a welcoming and a great place to live and to work. As we see examples of division around us in the news every day, perhaps we as Nashvillians should “We can all agree that now is a very important consider the things that can connect us; connect our time for us to come together as a community. neighborhoods; make us all feel a part of this place and of each other. Our greenways provide us with Part of this is connecting our neighborhoods – connection and when we put these investments in all areas of our community that want them, it helps Greenway investments in our community benefit us physically connect to one another. The benefits of all of Nashville’s residents.” our greenways can accrue for all of us. PETE WOOTEN GREENWAYS FOR NASHVILLE BOARD PRESIDENT At over 90 miles, our greenways are truly a gem of Nashville. We have made real progress over the years thanks to the vision and work of many in this Many of us sense that there has never been a more city. We have big ideas for the future and those ideas important time to balance this growth and change will require the vision and effort of many more in with investments in our greenways — linear parks our community to bring them to life. It is exciting to with paved multi-use trails. Greenways are THE consider. MOST requested amenity by Nashvillians of our Parks Department, and for good reason: Let us know your thoughts. If you would like to become more involved with Greenways for Nashville • They provide respite from our increasingly dense let us know that too. We would love to hear from you. urban environment. photo of richland — Pete Wooten creek greenway by • They are a place for recreation, for exercise, and Greenways For Nashville Board President mike noble they enhance our health and well-being. Creating, preserving, and promoting Nashville’s greenways since 1994 www.greenwaysfornashville.org | [email protected] | 615-862-8400 Celebrating 25 Years: From “Not in My Backyard” to “Where is My Greenway?” Morton Mill Trailhead at ot too many years ago, Nashville did not have a single greenway. Most of us were not aware Harpeth River Greenway, of the benefits of public trails for connectivity, health, and the environment. But Former Mayor Photo by Charlie Curry N Phil Bredesen was! In 1991, he and the Metro Council created the Greenways Commission and added a Greenways Division of Metro Parks. Unfortunately, as the first greenway was being planned, some residents expressed fear regarding the access that greenways would provide. “What if someone broke into my house, stole my television, and took off with it down the greenway?” Clearly, if a greenway system were to succeed, we needed educational “As Nashville experiences dynamic and public relations activities. So in 1994, the Greenways Commission established a not-for-profit friends group — Greenways for Nashville growth, we must increase preservation — to spread the word, to advocate to our leaders, and to provide of open space, save land for parks, and support for the whole greenway system. We brought experts from secure walkable connections before other cities and held fascinating symposiums on greenways that were free and open to the public. We invited members of the Metro Council they disappear.” and other leaders on bus trips to other cities. (We were all shocked to discover that Chattanooga and Knoxville were both way ahead ANN TIDWELL GREENWAYS FOR NASHVILLE VICE-PRESIDENT of Nashville! We walked on beautiful connecting trails, public parks throughout the city cores, and even a pedestrian bridge!) We held a contest to determine which neighborhood groups most wanted greenways in their area, and would also work toward their completion. Nearly a dozen neighborhood groups made presentations to the Greenways Commission, and the Commission chose three to work on — Morton Mill at Harpeth River, Shelby Bottoms and the Stones River Greenway. Now, celebrating 25 years as an organization, Greenways for Nashville can reflect on the progress that has been made to preserve greenspace in Nashville and the greenways system that our city has estab- lished. Looking forward, there is much work to be done. Creating and preserving public green space enriches people’s everyday lives and echoes our collective desire to be a more equitable, connected, and healthy community. We hope that as our city grows, so too does the land and open space that is allocated for parks and greenways. — Ann Tidwell Greenways for Nashville Vice-President & Greenways and Open Space Commission Chair u Greenways and Open Space Commission: tinyurl.com/greenwaysopenspacecommission 2 Greenprint • Spring 2019 City Central Greenway System: Where Nashville Connects he newly branded City Central Greenway System promises to enhance Tthe lives of all Nashvillians, but especially those who explore, work, live, and learn in the city’s dense urban center. By bringing more greenway connections into Nashville’s core, we will build community and foster unity. The City Central Greenway System will have a transformative effect: • Connecting the dots as a key element of transit and mobility solutions • Promoting improved health and long-term wellness as a more walkable city • Creating opportunities to experience nature and support conservation in the city The City Central Greenway System is a combination of existing and proposed greenways creating “loops” around Nashville’s urban core. Partners Matter ur supporting partners are some of Greenways for Nashville’s strongest Oallies in continuing efforts to create, preserve, and promote a system of greenways in Nashville and Davidson County. From sponsoring events, to advocating on behalf of the future of the greenways, we are thankful for the support that they provide. Last year, Greenways for Nashville was honored as a non-profit beneficiary of SuperCoolFunFest, Highland Brewing’s Ales for Trails, and the Village Fund’s 22 in Revue Celebration. Also, we celebrated our 5th year as recipients of a $5,000 matching gift from First Farmers during #GivingTuesday. Because of this concentrated effort by our partners, we are better able to accomplish our shared vision for the greenways. Thank you! • counter-clockwise, from above: Jim Gardner and Berry Brooks from First Farmers with our Executive Director, Amy Crownover; Highland Brewing’s Ales for Trails at 12 South Taproom benefitted Greenways for Nashville; the 2018 SuperCoolFunFest was a 1990s-themed event held in Cumberland Park, with proceeds benefitting Greenways for Nashville. Greenprint • Spring 2019 3 Dinner by the Bridge he 12th Annual Dinner by the Bridge, benefiting Greenways for TNashville, was held on September 27th at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. Rain may have taken the party inside, but it did not dampen the festive atmosphere. This magical evening was co-chaired by Celeste Reed and Don Welch, Steve Sirls and Allen DeCuyper, and Sandra Duncan along- side honorary chairs Berdelle Campbell and Dolores Seigenthaler. Before being seated, guests were greeted with opening remarks by Mayor 1 David Briley. Dinner was served at signature farm style tables under beautiful string lights, followed by a dessert selection. Guests sipped on the signature “CityLights” cocktails, an event specialty named after the presenting sponsor, CityLights — marketed by Village. Before and after dinner, guests took their smiles and creativity to an instant photo booth while the Craig Duncan Trio entertained the crowd. Every guest left with a custom tea towel, while Patrons took home attractive tabletop succulent gardens. The event raised more than $171,000 and will assist in the creation, promotion, and preservation of greenways in Nashville. Thank you to our sponsors, patrons, guests, and volunteers for a wonderful evening. • 2 1 Co-Chairs Allen DeCuyper, Sandra Duncan, and Steve Sirls 2 State Senator Brenda Gilmore and Harry Gilmore pose for a photo booth moment 3 Honorary Chairs Dolores Seigenthaler and Berdelle Campbell 4 The VILLAGE Team showing their greenway spirit 3 4 photos: scoobie schneider Save the date for the 13th Annual Dinner by the Bridge on October 3, 2019 THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS Anne Davis Anne and Clark and Karl Dean Tidwell SILVER SPONSORS Ajax Turner • Bates Nursery • Benesch • The Danner Foundation • The Deane Foundation • Delevante Art & Design First Citizens Bank • First Farmers • H.G. Hill Realty • Holladay Properties • Piedmont Natural Gas • Roy T. Goodwin • Drew and Ann Borsos • Donna and Gerald Nicely • Celeste Reed and Don Welch • Steve Sirls and Allen DeCuyper • Judy and Steve Turner SPECIAL THANKS TO B-Cycle • Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum • Metro Parks and Recreation 4 Greenprint • Spring 2019 Volunteerism at Its Finest reenways for Nashville is honored to work alongside an incredible base of individuals and Ggroups that support Nashville’s greenways initiative. From the organizations that devote end- less amounts of time to greenway cleanups, riparian renewal, and tree planting to the volunteers who spend hours helping at events and in the office.… thank you! We extend our appreciation to the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance, Cumberland River Compact, and Friends of Mill Creek Greenway in addition to Montgomery Bell Academy, University School of Nashville, TriStar Summit Medical Center and Deloitte for your tireless efforts.