There is great news on the progress of development at the nature center site at Beaman Park. Construction on the building
is complete and Sandy Bivens, superintendent of nature centers for Metro Parks, reports that as soon as park staff are hired, the building will open to the public, hopefully in October. A special event is being planned but the date has not been set. The nature center is located at 5911 Old Hickory Blvd in Northwest Davidson County, just 11 miles from downtown Nashville.
Meanwhile, the Friends of Beaman Park have been busy planning a new handicap accessible, walking and interpretive trail to be located near the nature center. In the spring, working closely with Metro Parks staff, we wrote a grant and have just learned that we were awarded $85,000 for this project. The funds will come to us from the Federal Highway Administration through the Tennessee Division of Recreation Educational Services.
While the trail will be short, only about 1,200 feet altogether, it will provide boardwalks, forest observation decks, an accessible firm surface and interpretive signage to provide an introduction to the forest for people who might not be ready to venture onto a more rugged park trail. We think this will be a nice compliment to the longer back country trails that we currently have in the park.
Friends of Beaman Park must provide a match of 20% of the total cost of the project. Matching the grant funds may be done through cash, labor or materials. While we intend to provide a great deal of the match through volunteer labor, we will also need cash to purchase gravel, lumber and other building materials.
Another project that we have underway, is fundraising for a new entrance sign at the nature center site. Metro Parks staff, working together with a local stonework contractor, have come up with a very nice rustic limestone sign design. The project will include stone work reminiscent of the old Civilian Conservation Corps or "CCC" designs. The total cost will be $15,000.
Finally, once the nature center is opened, there will be plenty of opportunities to for anyone interested in volunteering. As there will only be two staff, there is a need for volunteers who could answer the phone, provide park infomation and help lead interpretive programs. Training will be provided, so if you are interested, let us know.
If you would like to make a donation to either the interpretive trail or entrance sign project, please send your checks to:
Friends of Beaman Park
P.O. Box 188
Joelton, TN 37080
For more information about anything you have read here contact me at:
Thanks and please come out for a hike this fall!
Nancy Dorman
Friends of Beaman Park
Join us to celebrate National Public Lands Day at Beaman Park!
