Nashville Could Use…
During my trip I was able to see many of the major cities out west, as well as a few in the Midwest, and it got me thinking about my hometown and some improvements/additions that I would love to see take place. Nashville is a wonderful place to live, and I understand that every city has it’s unique offerings and strengths, but I couldn’t help to imagine Nashville with a few new exciting perks. I have only lived in Nashville for three years, so if you see a recommendation that actually already exists, please let me know! I might just be unaware.
1) Let’s give some love to the Riverfront! Being born and raised in Cincinnati, I have always enjoyed Sawyer Point and, now especially, the Newport on the Levee area. It seems to me that the only thing to do on the Cumberland downtown is see the backside of all the 2nd Ave bars. Let’s get a park, some greenspace, maybe even a fountain or something going on down there. I can picture a mini-version of Centennial Park on the river. Looks like Metro is working on this with a 20-year plan. Exciting!
2) A public swimming area for kids. Something where water squirts out of the ground, or some other structure. It’s fun, it’s free, and kids can’t get enough of it.
3) Bike trails. When we lived in Indiana, we would spend an entire day riding along the Monon Trail. Let’s build some greenways in the city, so Nashvillians can be more active and have more options for outside fun. Looks like Metro is working on it. I just might get involved here!
4) Better public transportation/mass transit. I know Nashville doesn’t hold a candle to Chicago in size or scope, but I must admit that jumping on the L was super easy and made getting around the city so much less stressful. Could we at least try for something like this? Is it even feasible?
5) More sophisticated nightlife options for locals. We’ve all been through this scenario- we go downtown to Broadway with a group of friends, hoping that this time around it might be more fun, but we are sorely disappointed as we sift through a crowd of intoxicated tourists with ten-gallon hats on. It’s just not right. We can do better than this Nashville.
6) More self-sufficient neighborhoods. Someday I would love to live in an area where I can ride my bike to the store, the library, the post office, etc. It seems as though there are only a few spots in Nashville where that is currently a possibility.
There you have it! I know that the city is planning many new things in the future, so I am excited to see what it will be like to be Nashvillian in 10 years from now.
I think this could be your calling in life…you know, a city planner for the government!! I agree. All these things, and then some, need to happen in Nashville STAT! It’s not until you have people come in from out of town, who have been here before, that you realize there’s really not much to do, unless you’re a country music fan, and let’s face it, even then, the attractions get pretty old!
Ha, thanks Liz, I will definitely consider it as a possibility! You’re so right. We need more to offer our out of town friends than country music and Radnor Lake! (not that Radnor Lake is bad- it’s awesome. But we are starting to really wear it out.)
Sounds like you may have outgrown Nashville. Could be time to move on…Chicago? New York? L.A.?
Possibly… but I doubt it! I really like Chicago, and L.A… but maybe just to visit.
Number 6 is KEY for me. No matter where I live, I need that! I love the old suburbs of Cleveland for that reason – they weren’t built for cars, so in my neighborhood, 100% of the streets have sidewalks.
I love, love, LOVE it. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stand living somewhere that isn’t within walking distance of at least a coffee shop or library! It’s so key to me.
PS: My “neighborhood” is really the city of Cleveland Heights – and is has 50K residents. I just realized it sounded like my little neighborhood had lots of sidewalks. Nope! The whole ‘suburb’!
Ashley I am so with you. We don’t currently have sidewalks on our streets and it is like suicide even trying to turn out onto our road, so it is not always fun. Definitely looking forward to having that someday!