William Edmonson Park

William Edmonson was an artist born and raised in Nashville. He was born to former slaves turned sharecroppers, on a plantation on Hillsboro Road in modern day Green Hills in the 1870s. As an adult, he worked in a hospital as a janitor and purchased a home where modern day Murrell School sits. He began sculpting, self taught, in his yard with limestone. He received some local acclaim from people who purchased his sculptures directly from his yard. As word spread, William became the first African American with a solo exhibit in the MoMA in Manhattan. His work was also featured in exhibits in Paris. He died in 1951.

This small, less than one acre park, opened in 2014, and was named in honor of William. It has a paved path along the perimeter, and features art sculptures by self-taught African American artists, in tribute to this special Nashvillians. When you first arrive, you may be taken aback, as it is in front of a housing development and is so small, it looks like it might be just the park for that development. Once you park and begin to explore, it may not be the best for children- as there is no playground, and the park shared a border with the highly trafficked Charlotte Ave. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s very humbling to be in the presence of these beautiful works.

Name: William Edmonson Park

Address: 1700 Charlotte Ave, 37203

History: 2 out of 5

Walkability: 5 out of 5

Kid Like-ability- 2 out of 5

Date Night-ability- 4 out of 5

Charm: 5 out of 5