Shelby Park (Nashville) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shelby Park |
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| Type | Public park |
| Location | East Nashville, Tennessee |
| Area | 361-acre (1.46 km2) |
| Operated by | Metropolitan Nashville Department of Parks and Recreation |
Shelby Park is a big park in the city of Nashville, Tennessee. It's about three miles (five kilometers) east of downtown Nashville, right next to the Cumberland River. This park is a great place for many activities.
You can find playgrounds, a special area for dogs, and baseball fields here. There are also two golf courses and a community center. Shelby Park is located between the Lockeland Springs, Shelby Hills, and Rolling Acres neighborhoods. The park covers more than 361 acres (1.46 square kilometers) of land.
Contents
Park History
How Shelby Park Started
The city of Nashville bought the first part of the park's land in 1909. This area, which was 151 acres (0.61 square kilometers), used to be an amusement park. Shelby Park officially opened its gates on July 4, 1912.
Filming Location
Did you know that parts of a movie were filmed here? A few scenes from the 1991 film Ernest Scared Stupid were shot in Shelby Park.
Growing Bigger
In 2011, Nashville bought more land next to Shelby Park. This new area was the historic Cornelia Fort Airpark. It was named after Cornelia Fort, a brave pilot. This airpark was the destination for singer Patsy Cline when she died in a plane crash on March 5, 1963. Now, Shelby Park, Shelby Bottoms, and the Cornelia Fort Airpark together make up over 1,000 acres of green space!
Celebrating 100 Years
On Saturday, October 13, 2012, Shelby Park celebrated its 100th Birthday. A big party called the "Birthday Bash" was held. It was hosted by a group called the Friends of Shelby Park & Bottoms.
Park Improvements
Planning for the Future
In 2009, the Metro Parks department worked with architects to create a plan for Shelby Park. This plan was designed to make the park even better.
Recent Upgrades
By the summer of 2015, many parts of the plan were finished. The park added a special field for events and new parking areas. These parking areas use special materials that let water soak through. They also improved a stream that runs through the park. New trails were built for biking, running, and walking. These trails connect the park to nearby neighborhoods.
New Art in the Park
As part of the improvements, a cool piece of art was added. It's called "Reflection" and was created by artist Lawrence Argent. This sculpture is a 12-foot-tall mockingbird made of shiny stainless steel. It sits on a granite base in a new plaza near the event field.
