CHEEKWOOD ANNOUNCES ROLE IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE’S NEW RIVERFRONT PARK
Cheekwood, in partnership with the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and the Metro Parks Board, announces its role in the debut of ‘Riverview Garden’ within Riverfront Park, an 11-acre civic park in downtown Nashville, Tennessee slated to open July 30. Building on its location in West Nashville, Cheekwood, renowned for its distinctive beauty, historical significance and excellence in art and horticulture, will bring to downtown what it regularly offers to over 250,000 visitors annually throughout the seasons on its historic property.
Riverview Garden will feature ornamental horticulture and educational programming for its citizens and tourists, including school and community groups. Once established, Cheekwood staff will use their expertise to care for the ½ acre garden, including augmenting the plantings with seasonal color such as tulips and chrysanthemums to coincide with its seasonal festivals, Cheekwood in Bloom and Cheekwood Harvest. Cheekwood will also utilize the space for the occasional display of outdoor sculpture as part of Cheekwood’s strategic focus. “We are thrilled that Cheekwood will have a presence in downtown Nashville as we partner with the City and Metro Parks to bring our expertise in horticulture and art to this beautiful new Garden,” said Jane O. MacLeod, President & CEO, Cheekwood.
“Nashville is fortunate to have a great cultural institution like Cheekwood in our city, and their partnership with Riverfront Park means more of our citizens and visitors will get the opportunity to experience the beauty of the gardens they create,” Mayor Karl Dean said. “I look forward to school groups, community organizations and others enjoying Riverview Garden and appreciate Cheekwood for being a part of our new downtown park.”
“The Riverview Garden is an added benefit for the park that will enhance the beauty of the area, while also educating our residents and visitors. We appreciate the partnership we have with Cheekwood and the expertise they bring to this project,” said Metro Parks Director Tommy Lynch.
As a part of the Community Open House on August 2, 2015 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm, Cheekwood will offer on-site container garden demonstrations at 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
About Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park will include ornamental gardens, one mile of multi-use greenway trails, including the Betty Brown Tree Trail, Nashville’s first downtown dog park, a 1.5-care event lawn called the Green, and the Ascend amphitheater.
The design of Riverfront Park was inspired by the limestone bluffs and edges of the Cumberland River, along which it sits. Portions of the park are perched above the Cumberland River and provide a spectacular view of river activity and the rolling hills of the landscape beyond.
The park provides a critical link to Nashville’s greenway system, connecting two existing greenways through downtown – the Rolling Mill Hill greenway to the south and the MetroCenter Levee greenway to the north – creating a continuous paved trail more than 5.5 miles in length. It also provides an easy connection for the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge to East Nashville.
About Metro Parks
The mission of the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation is to provide every citizen of Nashville and Davidson County with an equal opportunity for safe recreational and cultural activities within a network of parks and greenways that preserves and protects the region’s natural resources.
Metro Parks offers a variety of facilities and programs throughout Davidson County. Program and activities include; athletics, aquatics, cultural arts, community centers, golf, historical sites, nature centers, outdoor recreation, programs for seniors and more. Currently, there are over 14,000 acres of open space, including 130 Parks, 190 miles of trails and greenways and 7 historical sites.
For more information on Metro Parks log on to www.nashville.gov/parks.
