| Greenwood Park | |
|---|---|
 The park entrance | |
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 36°08′39″N86°43′21″W / 36.144067°N 86.722433°W /36.144067; -86.722433 |
| Area | 40-acre (0.16 km2) |
| Established | 1905; 120 years ago (1905) |
| Closed | 1949; 76 years ago (1949) |
Greenwood Park was the firsturbanpark and recreation area established for African Americans inNashville, Tennessee.[1][2] It was located on a 40-acre (16 ha) plot approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) east-southeast of downtown along Spence Lane betweenLebanon Pike and Elm Hill Pike, across fromGreenwood Cemetery.[1][3] The park was founded in 1905 byPreston 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 abaseball diamond.[3][4] Theballpark's grandstand had seating for a few thousand people and hosted the games of the independentminor leagueNashville Standard/Elite Giants and local amateurNegro 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 byBooker T. Washington and music by theFisk Jubilee Singers.[6]
The park was served by electric streetcars and was at the end of the Fairfield Street trolley line.[3]
Tennessee Colored Fair Association,.
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