Richland Park Master Plan

Metro Parks is developing a master plan to guide decisions about the future of Richland Park.

Parks officials unveiled a preliminary plan in August that would create a more accessible and more sustainable park environment. The redesigned park would improve pedestrian circulation by creating aesthetically pleasing entry plazas to encourage visitors, and walking and jogging trails would be added to allow guests to go for a leisurely stroll or get some exercise. The trails would feature separate 0.5 mile and 0.65 mile loops. A sidewalk would be added to the 50th Avenue side of the park to allow for safer pedestrian access.

Access to the park at 46th Avenue would be closed to make access to the park safer for both pedestrians and vehicles. Motorists would enter the park via two entrances on Charlotte Avenue. Much of the parking would be converted to pervious pavement that is designed to allow more water to be absorbed into the ground, which is more environmentally friendly than allowing stormwater to flow across asphalt.

A bandshell would be added facing a sloped lawn in front of Cohn School that could host music performances and other events. The bandshell would also serve as a shelter for all kinds of activities when not in use for performances. The current tennis courts would be adapted to feature two tennis surfaces and a basketball court. A tennis wall that would allow players to hit balls by themselves would also be added. The proposed design takes into account the additional park space to be made available when the current swimming pool is closed. The pool is expected to close because it will be replaced by an indoor pool at the new McCabe Community Center that can be used year-round.

An improved and more imaginative play space would be added to allow for play for children and children of all ages. Garden spaces would be added to several areas in the park to make the space more inviting. The Charlotte streetscape might be highlighted by the planting of cherry trees or other foliage, and a stone wall might create a strong boundary between the park and Charlotte Avenue. Additional lighting would be added to make the park safer and more visible during evening hours, when many people cross the park to attend classes at Cohn School.

Artist renderings of the form the park might take are available at nashville.gov/parks. It is important to note that the plan is only one possibility for how Richland Park might look in the future. The proposed improvements would only be added if residents support them and if funding is provided by Metro Government. Please take time to share your thoughts about the park with Metro Parks. Send an email to Curt Garrigan at curt.garrigan[at]nashville.gov with your feedback.