Project Feature Expansion Pillar

Expand park and greenway systems to be comprehensive and interconnected.

Madison is a suburb within Metro Nashville that encompasses about 40,000 residents in a number of neighborhoods. The area is highly residential with a major road running through its center. A neighborhood center that is taking shape in the surrounding area of the Nashville Public Library Madison Branch, the Fifty Forward Community Center, and the up and coming Roots Barn. These are all spaces that gather people together, but the missing resource is a well-designed, activated park.

A number of visionary publications and proposals reference the possibility of a successful public space in this area, but the Design Studio officially kicked off community engagement alongside Metro Parks and Council Member Nancy Van Reece in August of 2021. In 4 public events and additional public tabling throughout the community, we reached 376 community members to help us envision the future park that would further center the neighborhood around Madison Station Blvd.

77% of respondents prioritized public art that establishes the park’s identity. Safe access to the park, fitness opportunities for all ages, and native plantings were also top priorities for the park’s future design. Programming ideas included pop-up events, basketball courts, dog amenities, splash pads and more.

In February of 2022, HDLA revealed conceptual designs of the future park based on the community ideas and our initial visions. The designs are meant to help advocate for funding the park to finally fill a park deficit for this growing suburban center.