Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms

Dear Friends,

2012 marks a very special year in the history of our park. On July 4, 1912, Shelby was opened as a public park; thereby marking 2012 as Shelby’s official 100th anniversary year.

Here’s a bit of history about this special place:

Prior to serving as a public park, the land was owned and operated by a real estate company as “Shelby” amusement park. After that company went bankrupt (in 1903), the Park Board purchased the first 151 acres (in 1909), and later an additional 80 acres from J. R. Meredith (in 1911). Major E.C. Lewis prepared the plans for park development, designing the Sycamore Lodge, the Mission House, several log cabins, and various other park features. Unfortunately those structures no longer exist in the park, but the memories remain and are just a small part of the rich history of this urban green space.

Our park has continued to grow in size as the public demands for golf courses, athletic fields, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities dictated. With the addition of the Shelby Bottoms Greenway and the Cornelia Fort Airpark property, our park now covers over 1,300 acres.

We have a lot to celebrate!

Friends of Shelby Park & Bottoms plans a special Centennial Celebration to be held in Shelby Park proper on October 13, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We hope you will join us in celebrating this historical event and also support our efforts to protect and preserve our park for use by generations to come.

For the latest updates on this special event, and to learn how YOU can become involved, please refer to our Centennial Event website (shelby100.com).

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Please cast your vote for “Shelby Bottoms Park & Nature Center” (currently number 13), in the “America Is Your Park” contest sponsored by Coca Cola.

From now until July 15, 2012, you may cast your vote an unlimited number of times per day. Each vote helps us get a little bit closer to the grand prize of a $100,000 recreation grant. Even better, if you have a smart phone, install the FourSquare application and receive 100 votes each time you check in at “Shelby Bottoms Park & Nature Center” (as named by the first entry).

Click here for a link to the contest and our entry.

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Friends of Shelby is proud to support this series of walks/runs throughout Nashville parks.

HAVE YOU STEPPED UP TO THE CHALLENGE?
Sign up today for Mayor’s Challenge 5K Walk/Run

Join Nashville Mayor Karl Dean to take steps towards a healthier Nashville and sign up for the Mayor’s Challenge 5K Walk/Run!

Sunday, November 13, 2011
2:00 p.m.
Public Square Park
Free event! No registration fee!

Bring your friends and family members, and come on along with Mayor Dean and continue our efforts to improve the overall health of all Nashvillians – and have a great time!

Register online at www.mayorschallenge5k.com.

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The Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Metro Parks, and the Nashville Civic Design Center invite you to:

A PUBLIC WORKSHOP: Finding Inspiration for Public Art
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011
6-7:30pm
Shelby Park Community Center
401 South 20th Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Participants will hear about the Shelby Park Public Art project and how local history, nature, geography and other sources can provide inspiration to artists as they design new artworks. Come contribute your ideas for what specifically could inspire public art at Shelby Park.

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Save the date! October 29, 2011 2:00-3:00 Shelby Bottoms Nature Center. Friends of Shelby’s Annual Membership Meeting. Please join us and learn more about our accomplishments and future plans. We value your input and participation.

PLEASE NOTE: This is the same day as the Nature Center’s organic food festival. Our meeting will be held inside in the Nature Center’s conference room. Come early to get signed in before the meeting starts please.

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Mayor Karl Dean and members of the Nashville chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society (NTOS) will host a bird watching walk at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Shelby Bottoms Greenway. Participants will look for a variety of migrating warblers, vireos, thrushes, tanagers and hawks, as well as local birds such as woodpeckers, chickadees, wrens, blue jays and goldfinches.

On Saturday, small groups of 10 to 15 will be led by NTOS birders along paved and grassy walking trails to search for and identify various bird species by sight and sound. The walk will cover about two miles and last about two hours, although participants are free to leave at any time. Although not required, participants will find the use of binoculars helpful and are asked to bring a pair. A very limited number of loaner binoculars will be available. The walk caps off the annual Walk Nashville Week organized by Walk/Bike Nashville.

The Shelby Bottoms Greenway is well known as a haven for migrating birds and other wildlife.

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