Our Mission
Greenways for Nashville’s mission is to create, preserve, and promote a system of greenways in Nashville and Davidson County. We advocate preservation and protection of natural and cultural areas, development of community recreational opportunities, and acquisition of land for preservation as greenways and parks. As a conservation organization, we are committed to doing our part to ensure equitable access to all members of our community so that they may safely experience an inviting network of greenways for health, recreation, wellness, and healing.
What Are The Greenways?
Greenways are linear parks and trails that connect neighborhoods to schools, parks, transportation, shopping and work. Often located along natural landscape features like streams, rivers and ridges, or along built features, such as railroad corridors and scenic highways, greenways provide valuable greenspace for conservation, recreation and alternative transportation.
Greenways provide all citizens barrier-free access to natural resources and recreational opportunities.
Nashville’s greenways are primarily based along our eight major water corridors: the Cumberland River, Browns Creek, Harpeth River, Stones River, Mill Creek, Richland Creek, Seven Mile Creek and Whites Creek.
Greenways are:
- In demand by Nashvillians and visitors
- Developed through cooperation with the community
- Built by Metro Parks and overseen by the Greenways Commission, which advises the Park Board
- Supported by Greenways for Nashville, a private-sector nonprofit friends group
Why Are They Important?
Greenways are an essential component for the economic and environmental vitality of Nashville. Greenways are created to:
- Build a network of trails and open spaces in Davidson County, linking neighborhoods, schools, parks and commercial areas.
- Provide readily accessible recreational options in a natural setting, enhancing the health of Nashvillians.
- Support conservation of natural resources including wetlands, floodplains, plant and wildlife habitat, thereby improving air and water quality in our city.
- Provide alternative transportation routes and connectivity as part of Metro’s multi-modal transportation system.
