Greenways staff reviews key connector projects, Fort Negley acquisition and Plan to Play outreach; commission discusses subcommittees

Cindy Harrison, manager of the Greenways and Open Space Division, delivered project updates and asked commissioners to help spread the word about the department's Plan to Play update and related outreach. Harrison described several near-term and longer-range greenway projects and partnerships.

Harrison said a short connector outside the Parks administrative office will link an existing trailhead to Centennial Park and tie into a planned on-park trail. The connector is roughly two‑tenths of a mile and will include a raised, buffered greenway with landscaping; the team has sent final revisions to TDOT and anticipates moving to bid after necessary approvals. Harrison also described the Charlotte Corridor Railroad Trail, a rail-with-trail project that will require an easement from the railroad and adjacent properties; the trail will connect to the Farmer’s Market and Germantown greenway network and include connectors to Fisk University and Franklyn Pierce Park.

Harrison said work continues on the Whites Creek/Browns Creek Greenway (60% design completed) and another 440‑corridor connector that would link Gale Lane Park and Browns Creek Park; she noted a planned stormwater variance hearing in July for one project and that construction could be phased depending on available capital funds. Harrison added that the Aubrey Mills/Opry Mills corridor design is complete and that staff has submitted a TAP (federal transportation) grant application; awards have not yet been announced.

On Fort Negley, Harrison said the department received grant funding for acquisition ("$4,000,000 and some change," as stated at the meeting) with several partners and that the grant requires placing a conservation easement on the parcel. She said the granting agency is drafting the easement and that the department expects property transfer and a protected greenway around the park perimeter; Harrison said she would confirm the easement-holding partner but believed the American Battlefield Trust and the Tennessee Civil War Battlefield Fund were among the partners.

Harrison urged commissioners to promote the Plan to Play public survey and outreach; the update includes five community meetings and an online interactive survey running through July. She proposed standing subcommittees—advocacy and education, open space, funding/partnerships, and community engagement—to allow commissioners to take more detailed work outside regular meetings. Commissioners agreed those topics merited subcommittees and suggested the groups coordinate with staff, Greenways for Nashville and other partners. No formal committee charters or votes were taken at the meeting.

Harrison also noted a planned October field trip and the September 25 Greenways for Nashville fundraiser (Dinner by the Bridge) and said staff would follow up on specific project timelines as grants and easements progress.