Brentwood, TN’s tranquil rhythms are a perfect complement to the rocking spirit of Nashville. Blessed with an abundance of parks – more than 900 acres, in fact– the city is a dream come true for outdoor lovers.
From hiking and biking trails to serene picnic groves, there’s something here that will delight everyone in the family. Check out our favorites here:
Deerwood Arboretum and Nature Area
Located along the Little Harpeth River, this 27-acre park is a wonderful destination for all ages learning and exploration, thanks to facilities such as a full observation deck, outdoor covered classrooms, walking trails, and an amphitheater.
A triumph of ecological restoration, Deerwood was once the site of the city’s sewage treatment plant until the early 1980s. It saw a dramatic transformation when it was converted into a park in 1992. As a state-certified arboretum today, it is home to more than 60 tree species, manmade lakes, and habitats for indigenous wildlife.
Concord Park
Rest and relaxation in Concord Park happen both outdoors and inside your imagination, as the 40-acre expanse is also home to the beloved Brentwood Library. An all-around ideal destination for a family day out, Concord Park offers sunny walking paths, an extensive bike trail (that connects to the city-wide Brentwood Bikeway system), and open areas that are perfect for picnics and kite-flying.
The diamond-shaped WSM Tower, which the historic WSM radio station uses to broadcast Nashville’s iconic “Grand Ole Opry,” can be viewed from this park, just across Concord Road.
Crockett Park
The second largest park in Brentwood, Crockett Park encompasses more than 170 acres and features several facilities for various sports. These include 11 multi-purpose fields (two of which are lighted), 8 lighted baseball/softball diamonds, seven lighted tennis courts, and an indoor arena for flag football, soccer, and lacrosse. There are also attractive trails for joggers and bikers, and even a frisbee golf course!
Crockett Park is also home to the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater – the site of the city’s popular free-admission summer concert series and the annual 4th of July fireworks display.
Marcella Vivrette Smith Park
Measuring nearly 400 acres, the Smith Park is Brentwood’s largest open space. Formerly private property until it was purchased for park development, it was opened as a public park in November 2014.
Smith Park features the historic Ravenswood mansion and farm, a popular wedding and events venue. Ravenswood dates back to 1825 and is named after Texas’ Sam Houston, who was known as “The Raven” to the Cherokee. Houston was a guest at the wedding of the original owners of the property, James Hazard Wilson II and Emeline Wilson.
Primm Park
Primm Park is a 31-acre park which features a couple of notable historic sites. One of these is the Boiling Spring Academy, a historic schoolhouse which dates back to the 1830s. The building was restored in 2003 and is used today to host “history immersion” field trips for Brentwood’s third-grade classes.
Also found on the grounds of the Boiling Spring Academy is the Fewkes Group Archaeological Site. The 15-acre site is the location of the remains of five mounds created by the last of the prehistoric Native Americans that lived in the area, circa 1200 AD. The mounds were used for ceremonial, burial, and other purposes.