Statements
Mission
The mission of Friends of Bowie Nature Park is to preserve, protect, promote and enhance Bowie Nature Park for use by the general public as a nature reserve and park.
Background
In the early 20th century, the land making up what is present day Fairview was substantially denuded of timber. Logging companies bought up large tracts, and their crews and sawmills turned the oak, hickory, ash and chestnut trees to lumber to satisfy Middle Tennessee's growing need for homes, furniture, telephone poles, railroad ties and the like. The environmental degradation was so extensive the area eventually became dubbed "the barrens."
But in the mid-1950s a remarkable transformation began. The Bowie family, then residing in Nashville, purchased land in Fairview and embarked upon a reclamation process that included the building of lakes and the planting of thousands of trees. The family consisted of three sisters, Evangeline, Anna, and Byrd Bowie--all medical doctors, and their brother Walter. The reclamation was organized and overseen by the middle sister Evangeline, who hired local children to help her plant trees--at the rate of a penny per tree. The trees were purchased at a discount from the State Department of Agriculture, and Evangeline also hired a bulldozer, initiating a process of terracing. In some areas the terraces became canals, this leading eventually to a system of five lakes interconnected with water courses that took water from one lake's spillway and deposited it in the next. The hydrology system has been called a marvel of engineering, and as one soil conservationist commented in 1978, "These ladies were definitely ahead of their time compared to the average land user."
In 1988, Evangeline, at the age of 90, was the last remaining member of her family alive. At the encouragement of then-Fairview Mayor John Stark, she donated a large portion of her land, approximately 722 acres, to the city for use as a nature park. On February 10, 1992, Dr. Evangeline Bowie passed away, and in 1994 the Friends of Bowie Nature Park (FBNP) was formed to advocate for the preservation of the park. Our struggle was an uphill one at first. Portions of the land were diverted by the city to other uses, including the sectioning off a portion of the park for a city center and construction of a new city hall in 2004. In order to prevent further encroachments we successfully enlisted community support in a drive to safeguard and protect the remainder of the park, approximately 700 acres, under a conservation easement. The easement agreement was formally signed on October 2, 2008, and is today overseen by the Land Trust for Tennessee.
Impact
Our biggest project to date, the new Treehouse Playground at Bowie Nature Park, began in late 2019 and continued through December 2021. During Big Payback 2021, we raised over $30,000! Through the fundraising efforts and partnerships with the city of Fairview, the playground fundraising committee, businesses and families in Fairview and far beyond, our new, adaptive playground is open for play as of July 2022!
Looking forward to our vision for 2023, we would like to add some additional items to the playground area to better accommodate the needs of families and children.
The intent of this playground is to be a gathering place for children and families of all ages and abilities; a place to meet new friends, catch up with old friends and share community together; and a place for kids to stretch their muscles, minds and imaginations. The intent builds on the idea that unstructured outdoor play is good for the the body, mind and soul; and laughter is good for everyone.
FBNP believes keeping the park beautiful is important and The Friends Garden Crew continues to maintain and enhance the gardens around the Nature Center and restroom area within the park. FBNP welcomes people from the community and surrounding areas to join the Garden Crew to learn more about native plants, gardening/growing techniques and how to make your own gardens butterfly and bee friendly among other things.
FBNP's primary goal for 2022 is to increase active membership in order to strengthen and continue to pass the legacy of Bowie Nature Park to the next generation of park and nature lovers. Our vision is to see this park be loved and cared for long after we are gone so that generations of families can continue to protect, promote, and enhance its centrality as the most beautiful place in the heart of the Fairview community.
Needs
Looking forward to our vision for 2023, FBNP would like to add some complementary amenities to the playground area to better accommodate the practical needs of families and children. Specifically, the goal is to add powder coated steel picnic tables, shelters, and water fountains. These items will not only enhance the user experience of the park as a source of gathering and well-being aesthetically, but also by improving the physical safety of participants by co-locating these resources near the playground.
CEO Statement
Service Categories |
|
| Primary Category: | Environment - Natural Resources Conservation & Protection |
| Secondary Category: | Environment - Single Organization Support |
| Tertiary Category: | Recreation & Sports - Parks and Playgrounds |
Areas Served
The entrance to Bowie Nature Park is located on Bowie Lake Road, a short distance from Hwy 100/Fairview Blvd. in Fairview, Williamson County, Tennessee.
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Hickman |
| TN - Maury |
| TN - Rutherford |
