Tag: Metro Parks and Recreation

Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation and Nashville Department of Transportation Push for New E-Bike Program with Taxpayer Funded Non-Profit ‘Greenways for Nashville’

Morgan Nicole Veysey
E-Bike

Recently Nashville Metro Parks and Recreation and the Nashville Department of Transportation asked residents about their experiences with e-bikes on Metro greenways. The Nashville agencies are working with Greenways of Nashville, a local nonprofit, to bring e-bikes to Music City.

“We need your input!” the Parks and Recreation Department wrote on their Facebook page; adding, “The Metro Nashville Department of Parks and Recreation and Nashville Department of Transportation are conducting this survey regarding electric bike usage on Metro greenways. You can access the survey at http://ebikesurvey.nashville.gov. The results of this survey will help the city inform policy on the greenways.”

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The Confederate Monument in Centennial Park Isn’t Sam Davis, Historians Say and Primary Sources Concur

Corinne Murdock
Duty Done Honor Won

Contrary to certain government historical records, the Confederate Private Monument doesn’t depict Boy Hero of the Confederacy Sam Davis. In a previous report, The Tennessee Star relayed information provided by the archives of the Nashville Public Library and the Smithsonian Institution. Both resources concurred that the seated statue atop the monument was a likeness of Sam Davis sculpted by famed artist George Julian Zolnay.

However, several historians contended that this information was inaccurate – that Davis wasn’t the statue subject. The Star confirmed those assessments through the original news publication documenting the monument’s dedication, as well as a contemporaneous history book written on the subject of Confederate monuments.

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Metro Parks Board Petitions State Historical Commission to Remove Sam Davis Statue

Corinne Murdock
Sam Davis Statue, Tennessee Capitol

Metro Parks Board has sought permission to remove the Confederate Private Monument featuring soldier Sam Davis from Centennial Park. They submitted the formal request to the Tennessee Historical Commission (THC); Tennessee Code requires that THC wait at least 60 days before holding a hearing for a petition.

Renewed discussion to remove the monument began during January’s board meeting. Vice-Chair Susannah Scott-Barnes asserted that the statue was a “divisive symbol.” She noted that, in light of last year’s protests and the continued climate over Confederate statues nationwide, any vandalism would pose a cost issue for the board. Although the board requires state permission to relocate or remove the monument, the costs to maintain the statue are sourced from local funds.

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Lee Beaman Commentary: Green Space Is Vital to a City’s Success

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by Lee Beaman   We hear often the laments of the challenges that urban growth brings. From challenges with school systems to rising prices and reduced availability of homes, Nashvillians’ concerns over our growth are valid.  But one of the aspects of urban growth is the appreciation of our green space. As our city transforms and expands its urban core, our parks, hiking trails and bike paths become an even more valuable asset. Nashville is one of the best cities for its green space in the country, according to the Trust for Public Land, a research organization that measures the accessibility and quality of public parks and green spaces across the country.  We rank in the top 100 cities for our green spaces.  Over ten percent of our entire county area is dedicated to public parks and green space.  Metro Parks and Recreation manages 184 parks and over 85 miles of greenways.  That is an impressive offering for Nashvillians.  Begun in 1901 with the creation of our first city parks department, today’s Metro Parks and Recreation department offer a wide variety of programs and activities for residents of all ages and walks of life. Over 20 years ago, my family…

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