10 Reasons to Visit Nashville’s Fort Negley Park
Even if you're a long-time Nashville resident, both the beauty and rich history of Fort Negley Park may surprise you. Here are 10 reasons to visit ASAP!
Unless you’ve just moved to Nashville, you’re likely aware that Fort Negley suddenly became a topic of conversation a few years ago when there was talk of the city selling a large portion of the property to a developer. Much of Nashville had an opinion, but it’s also fair to say that much of Nashville has never explored Fort Negley beyond the portion of the park that once housed Greer Stadium, where the Nashville Sounds used to play.
I was 100% one of these people until about a month ago. And now, I’ve been back four times.
As Nashville continues to expand outward from the urban core, it’s only natural that Fort Negley (located right behind the Adventure Science Center and just two miles south of downtown) is becoming more accessible and visible. The neighborhood around it is becoming far more residential, and the park itself provides a clear place where Nashville’s past, present, and future overlap.
With that, here are 10 reasons you really need to visit Fort Negley Park.
10 Reasons You Need to Visit Nashville’s Fort Negley Park*
*This article is part of a new series we are writing in support of our Metro Nashville Parks. Look for many park highlights in the future to encourage us all to get outside, learn about our city’s history, and be a more active part of the greater community at large!
Reason #1
Purely based on the wow factor, there is no better view of the evolving downtown skyline than from Fort Negley. It’s wholly unobstructed and truly the best vantage point from which to see the city.
Reason #2
Fort Negley is Nashville’s only UNESCO site. UNESCO stands for United Nations, Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. The site received this designation in 2019 as a ‘Site of Memory’ as part of “… UNESCO’s Slave Route Project and is enrolled in an international registry of places significant for their association with slavery. The fort was the largest inland masonry fortification built during the Civil War. It was constructed by African Americans either held as enslaved people or had escaped enslavement and sought protection from Union forces, which occupied Nashville in 1862.” (Source: tclf.org)
Reason #3
There is a walking path around the perimeter of the fort. While All Trails has it at one mile, my own walks show it to be a little over half a mile. As I frequently find myself in this part of town, I now stop by regularly to just get out of my car and walk the path once or twice. It’s an easy way to add more steps, soak up the park’s history, and look over our city skyline. Personally, each time I walk this path, I’m invigorated and inspired to give back more and make this city better for all.
Reason #4
Learn the complicated history behind Fort Negley’s construction, as it was both a beacon of freedom for slaves who had escaped and also a place where people were enslaved. You can see snippets of history from the historical markers that line the path. Also, the visitor’s center at the base of the hill is filled with information about the historical importance of this hill.
Learn about how there is a direct line from Fort Negley to the historically black neighborhoods that surround it, including “Chestnut Hill, Wedgewood Houston, historic Edgefield, and Edgehill. At the turn of the century, several prominent families from these neighborhoods founded North Nashville and all of the prestigious black institutions residing there — the historically black colleges, businesses, and churches. In the 1950s, these same institutions trained and supported some of the sharpest minds of the Civil Rights movement. There is a long and unbroken connection between the builders and defenders of Fort Negley and Nashville’s current African-American population.”
As the surrounding area becomes gentrified, there is a loss of history that is happening, and it’s important to keep that history alive. The Fort Negley Descendants Project is working hard to preserve this history, which all Nashvillians should be aware of.” – Fort Negley Descendants Project. See more information here.
Reason #5
While the park is open from dawn to dusk, it is also a great place to watch the Nashville fireworks on July 4th. Recognizing this, the Friends of Fort Negley Park rents the park, making it open for this special evening. The admission fee helps cover the cost of security and additional supplies. Leading up to the 4th, you will be able to find more information at FortNegleyPark.org.
Reason #6
With the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and preservation currently going on to rebuild parts of the fort, the site is about to be an even more interesting place to explore. Stop by and discover all the new things going on at Fort Negley and watch it develop into a purposeful, well-designed community space for all of Nashville to enjoy.
Reason #7
It’s just one stop of many in this area. Drop by Dozen Bakery before or afterward for coffee, a pastry, lunch, or breakfast. We highly recommend the split baguette breakfast sandwich and pretty much anything else on the menu. The Adventure Science Center is right next door, and if you haven’t been since you were a child, it’s a fun few hours, no matter your age. Gabby’s Burgers & Fries has one of the best burgers in all of Nashville. Stop by Jackalope Brewing Company – The Ranch for a pint. And, last but not least, an odd suggestion: the Nashville City Cemetery makes for a really beautiful walk.
Reason #8
Fossils! Approximately 450 million years ago, the ocean covered Nashville, and fossils of the coral that were present then are now found in rock outcrops at Fort Negley. While “all rocks, artifacts, plants, and animals at Fort Negley Park are protected and must not be disturbed or removed” (Metro Ordinance BL 2011-834), there is a pile of fossil-rich rock for visitors to interact with. These rocks are transported by Vulcan Materials from a quarry 90 miles from Nashville in Parsons, Tennessee. Join a fossil expert on the second Saturday of each month to discover more about Nashville’s history and find your own fossils! See details here.
Reason #9
Sheep! The Nashville Chew Crew is an adorable reason for adults and children alike to love walking around Fort Negley. The flock of urban sheep helps to control the invasive plants. See if you can spot their guard dog as well!
Reason #10
The Nashville Parks Foundation was born in 2017 as the fundraising arm for Nashville Metro Parks. Their very first annual Picnic in the Park will be on Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 4 p.m to 7 p.m. It’s an event you don’t want to miss. Tickets are only $50, and Patron tickets are $75. Support our parks! Go enjoy it and bring friends!
For any people or organizations looking to support Nashville Parks Foundations, consider making a donation HERE.
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Liza Graves
As CEO of StyleBlueprint, Liza also regularly writes for SB. Most of her writing is now found in the recipe archives as cooking is her stress relief!