Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park |
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View of the park from the State Capitol Building
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| Type | State park, urban park |
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
| Area | 19 acres (77,000 m2) |
| Created | 1996 |
| Operated by | Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation |
| Visitors | 1,250,000 (2007) |
| Open | Year round |
| Website | Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park |
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, often called the Bicentennial Mall, is a special state park located right in the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee. This park is just northwest of the Tennessee State Capitol building. It first opened on June 1, 1996. The park was created to celebrate a big milestone: Tennessee's 200th birthday as a state!
Contents
Discover the Park's Cool Features
This amazing park covers about 19 acres (that's about 77,000 square meters). It's bordered by Jefferson Street to the north and James Robertson Parkway to the south. On the east, you'll find 6th Avenue North, and on the west, 7th Avenue North. The Nashville Farmers' Market is also right next to the park.
The Bicentennial Mall has many cool designs and areas. These features teach visitors all about Tennessee's history and its beautiful natural places.
Explore the Giant Tennessee Map
At the southern end of the park, you'll find the Tennessee Map Plaza. Imagine a huge map of Tennessee, about 200 feet (61 meters) wide, made from granite! This map shows all of Tennessee's counties, its major rivers, main roads, and other important spots. Below this giant map, there are eight smaller granite maps. These show even more interesting facts about the state.
See the Rivers of Tennessee Fountains
Next, check out the Rivers of Tennessee Fountains. This area has 31 water fountains. Each fountain represents one of the major rivers and waterways in Tennessee. It's a fun way to see how much water flows through the state!
Enjoy a Show at the Tennessee Amphitheater
Right in the middle of the park is the Tennessee Amphitheater. This is a large outdoor theater with seats for 2,000 people. It's used for many special events and performances.
Visit the Court of 3 Stars
At the northern end of the park, you'll find the Court of 3 Stars. This is a circular area made of red, white, and blue granite. These colors represent the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee (East, Middle, and West Tennessee). Around this colorful plaza, there are 50 tall columns. These columns hold a special set of 95 bells called a carillon. The 95 bells stand for the 95 counties in Tennessee. They also celebrate the state's rich musical history.
Walk the Paths of History and Nature
Between the Amphitheater and the Court of 3 Stars, there's a long, grassy area lined with trees. This area has four main walking paths and several memorials.
The two inner paths are called the Path of Volunteers. Each of these paths is about 1,400 feet (427 meters) long. They are built with 17,000 special pavers that have names and messages inscribed on them.
The eastern outer path is the Walkway of Counties. This path is designed to show the different landscapes of Tennessee's Grand Divisions. You'll also see plants from all over the state here. Along this walkway, there are time capsules from each county. These time capsules are sealed and will not be opened until July 1, 2096. That's when Tennessee celebrates its 300th birthday!
The western outer path is the Pathway of History. This path features a long wall, about 1,400 feet (427 meters) long, with Tennessee's history carved into it. It's like walking through a giant history book! Also on the west side of the lawn, you'll find several memorials. These include the Civilian Conservation Corps Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Centennial Memorial, and the Statehood Memorial.
Park Honors and Awards
The Bicentennial Mall has received some great recognition!
In 2006, the Nashville Business Journal named the Bicentennial Mall the number one tourist attraction in Nashville. That's a big deal! Then, in 2011, the American Planning Association listed the park as one of the top ten public spaces in the entire United States. These honors show how special and well-designed this park truly is.
Images for kids
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Globe at the World War II memorial
