Statements
Mission
Greenways for Nashville's mission is to create, preserve, and promote a system of greenways in Nashville and Davidson County. We advocate preservation and protection of natural and cultural areas, development of community recreational opportunities, and acquisition of land for preservation as greenways and parks. As a conservation organization, we are committed to doing our part to ensure equitable access to all members of our community so that they may safely experience an inviting network of greenways for health, recreation, wellness, and healing.
Background
In 1991, Mayor Bredesen and the Metro Council created the Greenways Commission, a division of Metro Parks, to plan and develop a greenway system throughout Davidson County. A Countywide Greenways Plan was developed by Metro Parks, working in concert with stakeholders throughout the Nashville area. It identified a network of parks and trails that will follow the Cumberland River and its primary tributaries - the Harpeth and Stones Rivers; and Browns, Mill, Richland, Seven Mile and Whites Creeks. This trail network will eventually link to greenways under development in surrounding counties, resulting in a regional greenway system for Middle Tennessee. Recognizing the essential role of the private sector in realizing the plan, members of the Commission and other concerned citizens established Greenways for Nashville (GFN) in 1994. GFN is led by a volunteer board of directors, with experienced leadership throughout Davidson County, representing a range of interests, expertise, and backgrounds, and three staff members that work in partnership with the Metro Parks Greenways & Open Space Division and the Commission to develop and promote a greenways system.
Impact
Greenways for Nashville (GfN) supports the efforts of Metro Parks Greenways Commission by building public awareness and raising private financial support for the Nashville greenways initiative. Greenways for Nashville has assisted in developing a significant trail footprint of nearly 100 miles, including the protection of over 2,700 acres of floodplain land and the addition of over 7,000 acres of park land through the Greenways and Open Space Division of Metro Parks.
90% of Nashville's neighborhoods are now within 2 miles of a greenway. GfN looks to increase funding levels in order to expand, expedite and maintain the greenway trails system while also advancing land acquisition for parks. Greenways are an essential component for the economic and environmental vitality of Nashville. In addition to fundraising, we educate citizens about Nashville's greenways and provide opportunities for community involvement.
Needs
1. Financial Support for Greenway awareness and land acquisition, including significant investment for key connectivity projects. 2. Sponsorship dollars for significant community events such as the Richland Creek Run and Dinner by the Bridge, GfN's major fundraising event. Dollars raised through these events support general operation and programming. 3. Donation of printing services for trail maps and greenway educational materials.
CEO Statement
Greenways for Nashville is unique in its approach to support Davidson County's greenways initiative, working hand in glove with the Greenways & Open Space Division of Metro Parks. Citizen appointees on the Greenways & Open Space Commission serve on the GfN board of directors to create continuity and strong cohesiveness for the public/private partnership of trail building and green space conservation.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Environment - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution |
| Secondary Category: | Public & Societal Benefit - Public Transportations Systems |
| Tertiary Category: | Recreation & Sports - Physical Fitness/Community Recreational Facilities |
Areas Served
There are eight major water corridors identified in Davidson County. Greenways projects have been started along the following: Alta Lake in Hermitage serving zip codes 37214, 37076. Downtown Greenway serving 37206, 37208, 37228. Harpeth River Greenway serving 37221, 37143, 37205, 37215. Metro Center on the Cumberland River serving 37228, 37218. 37208. Seven Mile Creek, serving 37211, 37204, 37220, 37027. Mill Creek, serving 37013, 37211, 37210, 37217. Richland Creek serving 37205, 37209, 37212.
| TN - Davidson |
