| Greenwood Park | |
| Photo Width: | 255 |
| Type: | Urban park |
| Location: | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Coords: | 36.1441°N -86.7224°W |
| Area: | 40acres |
Greenwood Park was the first urban park and recreation area established for African Americans in Nashville, Tennessee.[1] [2] It was located on a 40acres plot approximately 3miles east-southeast of downtown along Spence Lane between Lebanon Pike and Elm Hill Pike, across from Greenwood Cemetery.[1] [3] The park was founded in 1905 by Preston Taylor, a wealthy minister and former slave.[1] [4] It remained open until 1949.[4]
Natural features of the grounds included hills, dales, evergreen trees, and streams.[3] The park, which was lit by electric lights, also had a restaurant, theater, roller rink, roller coaster, shooting gallery, merry-go-round, zoo, swimming pool, and a baseball diamond.[3] [4] The ballpark's grandstand had seating for a few thousand people and hosted the games of the independent minor league Nashville Standard/Elite Giants and local amateur Negro league teams.[3] [5]
It was the home of a large annual fair hosted by the Tennessee Colored Fair Association.[6] The 1909 fair was to include oration by Booker T. Washington and music by the Fisk Jubilee Singers.[6]
The park was served by electric streetcars and was at the end of the Fairfield Street trolley line.[3]