Mildred Shute Minipark

Mildred Shute was a woman who worked hard for her neighborhood. She was a community organizer, who helped lead the Democratic Women’s Committee, political fundraisers, and helped to plan historic and community sights in the neighborhood. She passed away in 1992, and in tribute the city of Nashville honored her with naming a street after her, and a park, in the neighborhood she loved- Napier Park.

This park originally opened in 1983, under the name Napier Minipark, under the Community Development Act of 1974. It was renamed in 1993 to the Mildred Shute Minipark. In 2002, it was listed as a “delipidated” park in The Tennessean’s review of parks. We tried to go about six months ago, twice, to find it surrounded by police cars both times. Post Nashville snow, we decided to try again, knowing the city would be shut down. We arrived at 9am on a Friday to find it empty, except for two women sharing a blunt on a bench, within steps of a “This is a smoke-free park” sign, and a picnic table that was dismantled and on the ground in pieces. The playground equipment looked newer and cleaner than some we’ve seen. It was impossible to get a picture of the park sign without trash in it, which was disappointing. This park absolutely needs some love, and some folks to utilize it in tribute to its namesake a little bit better. It’s only .4 of an acre, and has little else besides the playground equipment.

Name: Mildred Shute Minipark

Address: 77 Maury Street, 37210

History: 1 out of 5

Walkability: 2 out of 5

Kid Like-ability- 2 out of 5

Date Night-ability- 1 out of 5

Charm: 1 out of 5