Centennial Park: a place to relax and refresh
Published: May 31, 2009
Looking for an escape from bustling downtown life? Walk (literally) a couple of miles down the road to Centennial Park.
The large park is located on West End Avenue and is just steps away from local and chain restaurants, a bookstore and within view of Vanderbilt University. The park is a main location for some of Nashville’s major outdoor events such as festivals and concerts and for simpler pastimes like jogging and picnics.
Once spring rolls around, Centennial Park awakens with blooming landscapes and grassy green stretches of lawn, people emerge from homes and offices to walk the paths that wind around the park.
The lush park is home to various picnic shelters and a recreation center. In the summer, the park becomes even more abuzz. It hosts gatherings such as free “Shakespeare in the Park” productions.
It's also home to nights of free dancing events. One of the shelters is converted into a dance floor and people can take free lessons in salsa, swing and other dances.
The site is also home to the Parthenon, a large, regal replica that of its counterpart in Athens that houses an art museum inside. The art museum has a permanent collection of 63 paintings of 19th and 20th century American artists.
The looming edifice serves as the centerpiece of the park. Inside is a 42-foot recreated golden statue of the Greek goddess, Athena.
Want to know more about about Centennial Park and other parks in the area? Visit the website for the Metro Parks and Recreation Department.
- by Leah Caudle , Nashville Reporter for HelloMetro
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