Tom Joy Park
Updated: Apr 4, 2021
Tom Joy Park was founded in 1991, and sits at 6 acres. It has a playground, a picnic shelter, and a paved walking/jogging path. It sits behind an elementary school. This property has an interesting history.
This land was originally purchased in 1882 (over 91 acres total) by Tom Joy and his family to create a family estate and elaborate greenhouses. As a florist, Joy's Flowers is today one of the oldest florists in the country. Tom Joy even became the director of the Society of American Florists. He died in 1937, and a parcel of the land became the Tom Joy Elementary School two years later, presumably donated by Tom's widow.
The school itself was built in 1939, and by the 1980s was due to be condemned and replaced with a new community center. The neighborhood organized and fought, for a couple of reasons. They knew that a new building would be ineligible for grants and funding. They knew the building could be saved with some elbow grease, and they also knew they needed a "cause" to organize the community around. They prevailed and Metro Nashville not only helped to save the school, but they were able to pump $78K into building this park.
Today, the park is a small spot of land, and has a cute little pavilion. The playground equipment is a little dated, but charming.
Name: Tom Joy Park
Address: 1901 Lischey Ave, 37207
History: 3 out of 5
Walkability: 3 out of 5
Kid Like-ability- 3 out of 5
Date Night-ability- 1 out of 5
Charm: 3 out of 5
