Mayor Sees Cumberland Park as Benefit for Locals

A small but prominently located city park opens Sunday near LP Field. City officials see the $9 million attraction as a perk for the locals.

Cumberland Park sits between the Korean Veterans Bridge and the Shelby Street walking bridge.

Unlike the new convention center or even a recent remodel of the alley behind the honky tonks, Mayor Karl Dean says Cumberland Park is for people who live here.

“This will be a great place for people with young children to come on a weekend or after work and just relax, and I think its primary attraction is going to be to the citizens of Nashville.”

Kids are the target audience. There’s a sand pit with buried fossils, fountains meant for splashing and a rock climbing wall. Educational features include a history of the Nashville Bridge Company and signage explaining a water reclamation system on site.

There’s also a sizable amphitheater with seating for 1,200.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean shows off Cumberland Park catwalk over the river.

The park is one of the first projects in a plan that spans 20 years and would remake the entire riverfront. Dean says Nashville turned its back on the river for a long time.

“One of the things that a lot of cities have done over the past 10, 20 years is to begin to appreciate their waterfront. And this is a big step in that direction for us.”

The park’s designers also worked on the riverfront revamps in Chattanooga and Louisville. Nashville’s riverfront overhaul includes 19 total projects. Most are just in the planning stages, but one that is nearly complete is the renovation of the Nashville Bridge Company Building, which will house restaurants and some Metro offices.