Nashville, often hailed as the Music City, is known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and thriving music scene. However, in recent years, the city has also been making waves for its commitment to green spaces and recreational areas. With the unveiling of two new parks, Ravenwood Park and Mill Ridge Park, Nashville’s residents and visitors alike have even more reasons to fall in love with this dynamic city. I had a chance to visit both and here’s my recap!
Ravenwood Park:
Located in the Donnelson/Hermitage area, Ravenwood Park is beautiful, featuring acres of lush greenery, winding trails, and scenic river front. It features two large playgrounds, an events pavilion, fitness equipment, basketball court and more.
Ravenwood Park offers an array of recreational opportunities. Hiking trails of varying difficulty levels wind through the park, catering to both casual strollers and avid hikers. The park also features well-maintained picnic areas, inviting families and friends to gather for outdoor meals and bonding.
For those seeking an adventure, the park features a massive climbing tower which provides quite the thrill for kids and teens. The tower stands at approximately 42’ tall according to my mom math which is me looking at the approximate 6’ dad standing at the bottom and closing one eye while picturing how many dads it takes to get to the top…so 42’ give or take. At the very top is an extremely long and fast – and covered slide. There is another slide about half way up the tower which the younger kids gravitate towards. My five year old loves to give me daily mini heart attacks so she of course went for the slide at the very top- so it is doable for younger children as well.
We also really enjoyed another unique feature of the park which is the sand pit area. Surrounded by rock formations, the sand pit has well- sand! There are sand toys, and even a really cool sand table where you can make your own sand creations and then watch the sand go down the “spinny thing” and back into the sand below.
Tip: Shade is scarce at this park so I’d suggest going early in the morning or in the late afternoon. One other note, there are bathrooms, but at the current time they are portables so just be prepared!
Mill Ridge Park:
Mill Ridge Park, located the Antioch offers something for everyone with its winding trails, open fields, exercise area, playground and community-focused spaces. really something. This park’s design emphasizes accessibility, making it an inclusive space that caters to individuals of all ages and abilities.
The centerpiece of the park is undoubtedly the expansive playground, which boasts huge structures that encourage imaginative play and physical activity. Swirling slides, climbing walls, and sensory-rich elements create an engaging environment that captivates children while promoting their cognitive and motor skills.
We really enjoyed the large tree-house structure which features a “sky bridge” of sorts and a massive slide. There is also a really steep hill area that seemed to be very popular. It had a slide, rock steps, and some cool ball-type structures to go up and down the hill. There is also an area for smaller children to play in another tree house inspired playset featuring smaller versions of the main tree house attraction in the epicenter of the park.
One thing I really enjoyed is the hand washing station, water bottle refilling station, and the clean bathrooms! I also saw a sign that mentioned they do movies in the park so keep an eye out for when those happen by following the “friends of Mill Ridge Park” Facebook group.
Beyond the playground, Mill Ridge Park offers an array of amenities that encourage social interaction and relaxation. Families can be seen enjoying picnics in the shaded pavilions, while fitness enthusiasts take advantage of the well-designed exercise stations. The park’s walking and biking trails meander through lush green surroundings, providing a perfect backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts to stay active while appreciating nature’s beauty.
The addition of Ravenwood Park and Mill Ridge Park to Nashville’s roster of green spaces marks an exciting chapter in the city’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its residents. These parks not only provide opportunities for relaxation and recreation but also foster a sense of community, creativity, and environmental consciousness.
So, pack a picnic, grab your walking shoes and ALL the things, and embark on an adventure to discover the beauty and charm that await in these two remarkable additions to Nashville’s park scene.
