2.5 This isn't so…read moremuch a park as it is a thatch of grass. This isn't to say that a small grassy area can't be a big improvement to a neighborhood but I don't know how much (of any) planning was put in to Elizabeth Park as a concept. I've seen other small parks in town do more with less space but that may have something to do with the neighborhoods and resource allocation... but that's probably a topic best left alone for now. As things stand, Elizabeth Park makes a nice distraction on a fall day but it's not a destination for anyone who lives outside this section of Buena Vista. Unfortunately, I don't know that it offers much to the residents of the neighborhood. Again, the park is small -- I'd say they're the equivalent to two decent-sized plots of land. The park is flat and open, so it's best used for a game of tag for the little ones or as a way to read a book on a bench during the warmer months. The few mature trees offer pretty scenes if not much shade. There's a basketball court that seems to be in good shape but it's not overly expansive. I didn't know what to make of the community house on property. It was locked when I was on site. Perhaps it holds more treasures that benefit the park community. As with most things on the north side, this part of town is slowly gentrifying. It troubles me that there doesn't seem to be much park activity in this part of the neighborhood for now -- especially as I guess that this will change in the next six or so years. That doesn't quite seem fair. The small park inspired me to walk around and see what else was happening in the neighborhood. Beyond views of Downtown (remember that whole gentrification thing?), I found some exciting murals and a bevy of small businesses that had no activity (listing, pictures or reviews) on Yelp. I did my best to take photos, fix addresses and create listings but the exercise served as a stark reminder that, even in a boom, progress doesn't affect us all equally.

Wonderful neighborhood park next to great neighborhood school. Love the walking path and exercise…read moreequipment.

Imagine. It's 1960. You are a member of the board of Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation. Your…read moreboard has dozens of dreams, and is about to enter the golden age of Nashville Parks, and unbeknownst to you, the number of Nashville parks will double in the next decade. One of the ideas that floats around and gets stuck is a big ole' regional park in Green Hills- something at least 40 acres. But, Green Hills experiences a boom in that same decade. Real estate prices soar, and it begins to look like Green Hills will never get their version of a Shelby Park. But then a property adjacent to John Trotwood Moore Middle School becomes condemned. In 1973, the Metro Parks Board, and the Metro Board of Education, couple up to pull the money together to buy the property and fix it up. Green Hills Park opened in 1972 to little fanfare. Being adjacent to a middle school, it had a playground, a soccer/multipurpose field, and a baseball field. In 2006, it received a 2006 remodel, including paved walking path, and additional playgrounds. It has over 13 acres, and is well worth a visit.

Kirkpatrick Park began as a planning phase in the 1950s, for he East Nashville Urban Renewal…read moreProject. This park opened in 1963, and was named after the adjacent school. The school, and subsequently the park, was named after a popular teacher and principal of Nashville Public Schools after a 40 year tenure. It currently has 4 acres, a community center, a playground, public restrooms, picnic shelters, and a spray park. It also has this old as heck tree that's protected with bricks that I'm dying for the story of. This park is POPULAR. The parking lot was full. After our third drive around the block, we finally got a spot. It was almost impossible to get a picture without children in it. This makes sense- if you are a kid and it's a hot summer day, why WOULDN'T you want to put on your bathing suit and come up to this splash park? I was jealous that I hadn't brought my own!

Kirkpatrick Park isn't the most inviting of East Nashville's parks. It's surrounded by a high…read morechain-link fence, and is very hilly. Facilities include a grassy soccer field, a baseball diamond, a playground, and three basketball courts. The Kirkpatrick Community Center located right next door and the big ol' shade trees by the soccer field are the most notable parts of the park. Kirkpatrick is a big park in a residential neighborhood that includes a large apartment complex, so it could be a great resource for residents who don't have their own backyard. But it seems to me that the space could be better utilized by adding some picnic tables, benches, and maybe even a tennis court. Also, the fence surrounding the perimeter makes me think that whoever is in charge of the park is trying to keep someone out, which doesn't exactly encourage me to feel welcome or spend time there.

3.5 You know what I…read morelike about parks? They're peaceful. They're a place of refuge from the chaos of traffic, the noise of the city center and the confusion of the world. In times like these, we could all use some peace. Take some time to take a walk and reconnect with nature. Leave the cell phone at home, chart a course and remember what it was like to walk on green grass -- barefoot, even. It's important. Harpeth Knoll isn't my favorite park of the metro system but it has its charms. First of which (for me) was the drive out to it from the east side of town. Nashville's a pretty green city but the southwestern edge of the metro takes things to a whole 'nother level. HK is a small(er) park in the middle of an old(er) neighborhood and stuck between the past and present. The overgrown baseball diamond and boundary of mature evergreens tell the tale of an older park. The new playground, park benches and art piece seating, however, imply that some new life and attention's been given to this old girl. What I think is the standout feature of the park, though, are the views. The spaces are wide and open and the mature trees dot the perimeter of the space, not the center. That means, in addition to being a perfect set up for kick ball, if you stand in the middle of the park, you can look out at gorgeous green hills (or, 'mountains' as little kids may call them). Harpeth Knoll isn't a destination park. It's a neighborhood/local focal point, perfect for letting the kids burn off some steam, reading a book as the sun massages your shoulders and walking barefoot in the green grass as you look out at new hills to climb. On days like today, any of those are good reasons to visit. It shouldn't, though, take days like today to do so.

Harpeth Knoll Park... exists. It has the same bright colored, plasticy playground equipment Metro…read moreadded to most of its playgrounds in 2005. But that's about it. The land itself was purchased by the Metro Board of Education in the 1960s. They tried to sell it in 1976, but couldn't find a buyer. However, it was at this same time, in the 1970s and 1980s, that the neighborhood began to really develop. This part of Nashville isn't even on maps until the 1960s. The name of the park derives from the fact that it is, in fact, a grassy knoll. There's a small playground, a beautiful art installation bench commemorating the 2010 flood, and a very depressing looking baseball area. It's definitely not big enough for Little League or anything regulation. But this park exists in 10 acres, approximately 80% of which is just a field of grass, unencumbered by shade. We walked about half a mile around the perimeter, and enjoyed the sunshine. There was little to no paved section, so our walk was in the grass.

Driving down 4th Ave. S past car mechanics and old urban houses, Dudley Park comes as a pleasantly…read moresurprising green space. Located right next to a preschool, it is well-maintained and offers a lit football field, baseball diamond, playground, picnic tables, and an asphalt path that runs around the parameter of the park. There isn't really anything particular about this park that would cause me to visit it deliberately, unless I was looking for a place to kick around a soccer ball or something like that. But it's a nice addition to the neighborhood, and I always find it heartening to discover another green space in the city.

This park opened in 1913, and was originally named the Chestnut Street Park. Park Commissioner…read moreRobert Dudley's two daughters were tragically killed in a car accident, and the park board voted to rename the park in their honor a year later in 1914. By 1920, the park had a swimming pool, a ball diamond, and a bandstand. The community center was built in the 1930s. Tennis courts were added in the 1960s. Today, it has picnic shelters, a playground, baseball field, football/multipurpose fields, and a paved walking/jogging path, over 6 acres. It's a cute neighborhood park, surprisingly unbusy on a Saturday afternoon, but well worth a brisk summer walk.

Love this park!! Tucked away off of W Old Hickory Blvd. Super close to the highway but you can't…read moreeven hear it. The pond is always fun to walk around & there is always wildlife to watch. I love counting all the turtles on a sunny day or watching the geese. There is a playground and swings next to the pond. They allow fishing in the pond. There are baseball fields in the park.

You'll find Cedar Hill Park on Old Hickory and Dickerson, with the main gated entrance half a mile…read moredown Old Hickory. All that being said, it's easy to find! The park offers all the staples from baseball/softball fields, a walking track, a pond, multiple playgrounds and of course ducks! We don't live too far, so we bring the pup here to change the scenery up for our walks. We hit the walking loop that surrounds the pond, where 2.25 loops equals one mile. The pond is fishable, and it is always active with amateur anglers. Everyone is friendly and seems to follow the rules. Surrounding the pond is a first come first serve pavilion with picnics, a playground and a detached swing set. Park is plentiful around the park as a whole. This comes in handy when the fields are all in use. The park is fairly clean and well maintained. Overall, we enjoy having Cedar Hill Park nearby. You will definitely find us cruising around the pond multiple days throughout the year!

There's not a whole lot publicly known about this park. But I can absolutely tell you why that is!…read more The city of Berry Hill is a satellite city in Nashville. The land itself was originally owned by William Wells Berry (1813-1876) who was the President of Third National Bank, and a wealthy landowner in town. In 1950, the people of this neighborhood voted to become it's own city, splitting from the incorporated city of Nashville. The city, in 1950, at its founding, was 1 square mile, and had less than 1,300 residents. Since then, many residents have moved out, selling their homes to local businesses. Today, there are less than 600 residents. It's important to know this, as this area of town is very quaint, with many 1950's style homes, many of which maintain that structure and charm while housing businesses. You may find yourself shopping for jewelry in what used to be someone's bedroom. While still a city, since Nashville was incorporated as a metropolitan city, it governs over Berry Hill much like a county. There are three parks in the center of Berry Hill. Iris Park is a very cute little playground. I really enjoyed the fact that the playground equipment is unique, and not the same, industrialized plasticy equipment you will find in every metro Nashville park. Berry Hill has a lot of personality, so it makes sense that its park would too.

A small park that is mainly a children's playground, however there is a small bench and picnic…read moretable for parents to hang out as their kids play. This is not a place to come walk around, however I am sure it suits the neighborhood fine, especially the people with small children.

Small local park which offers some create options for families to either spend all day, or just a…read morequick visit. The newly constructed jungle gym is excellent and has brought many more families to the area, plus the new water park has turned out to be a smart addition. There's a number of classes offered inside of the park's main building and I often see family reunions and parties being held on the grounds at one of the several pavilions. Tennis lessons, karate lessons and personal training is all offered there, either by private parties or park sponsored I'm not sure. I often see yoga being taught/instructed early in the mornings when the weather is good. I often use the track around the park, and the new addition going in front of the police station is welcomed as the loop is now a mile long. Overall great small town park offering lots of options for individuals and families.

We loved the loop you can run or walk on and the pavilions you can have lunch in or rent!! So much…read morespace to relax and enjoy the Spring weather! We love that you can bring your doggies too. Great place for families or just a day out enjoying the fresh air!