Mill Ridge Regional Metro Park- Phase 1
Small Project (25,000 sf or less)
Mill Ridge Park, situated in Southeast Davidson County’s unique cedar glades, is designed to seamlessly blend natural beauty with cultural diversity. Its architecture mirrors the limestone terrain and integrates with the landscape, creating interconnected spaces that celebrate various cultural activities and promote inclusive gathering. Designed with accessibility and equity in mind, the park provides a dynamic environment for community engagement, reflecting the region's growth and diverse population.
Awards Year | 2024
Project Statement
Nestled within the distinctive cedar glades of Southeast Davidson County, Mill Ridge Regional Metro Park emerges as a visionary haven where nature and culture seamlessly intertwine. Spanning 600 acres, this expansive park is designed to celebrate the raw beauty of its limestone terrain while enhancing the vibrant cultural diversity of the community. The park's design reflects the unique cedar glade ecosystem, fostering a deep connection between visitors and the natural environment.
At the core of Mill Ridge is a commitment to both environmental and social connectivity. The park’s architecture, inspired by the exposed limestone and undulating patterns of the cedar glade, integrates harmoniously with the terrain, celebrating the natural landscape and creating a sense of arrival and ownership for visitors. This thoughtful approach invites people to engage deeply with the space, enhancing their experience and connection to the park.
Mill Ridge also plays a crucial role in supporting the adjacent Cane Ridge High School. The park features dedicated educational spaces designed to enrich learning and community engagement. These areas include outdoor classrooms and hands-on facilities for bioscience and agricultural activities, creating a direct link between the park’s resources and the school’s curriculum. A notable feature is a permanent interactive art installation inspired by the Cane Ridge High School Marching Band, the Rhythmic Ravens. This installation includes pressure and movement-sensitive totems that create light and music as people interact with the space. Stepping on designated lines in the sidewalk triggers short musical notes that layer into harmonized melodies, incorporating student recordings and encouraging creative exploration through rhythm and movement.
The park’s design masterfully integrates distinct yet interconnected areas—lush gardens, vibrant sports corridors, wild natural zones, and festive gathering spaces. Each area is crafted to reflect and amplify the diverse cultural practices of the community. These zones are connected by greenways, paths, and trails, unifying the park into a cohesive whole that promotes exploration and interaction.
Accessibility and equity are fundamental to the park’s design, with flexible structures that accommodate various uses, from seasonal events to daily activities. Public amenities, such as bathrooms, are designed to be both functional and aesthetically aligned with the natural landscape, ensuring durability and inclusivity.
As Davidson County’s population grows, Mill Ridge stands as a beacon of unity and inclusivity. It is a space where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to celebrate, play, and connect. More than just a public space, Mill Ridge Regional Metro Park embodies the region’s natural beauty and cultural richness, offering a lasting testament to the power of thoughtful design in fostering a vibrant, interconnected community.
Framework for Design Excellence Narrative
**Sustainability** is a cornerstone of Mill Ridge’s design, reflecting a deep respect for the Cedar Glade ecosystem. The architecture draws from the natural geometry of exposed limestone and the undulating patterns of the landscape, ensuring that structures blend harmoniously with the terrain. This approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also promotes ecological stewardship by celebrating and preserving the site’s unique natural features. In addition to incorporating and restoring the indigenous flora of the site, restoring the Mill Creek watershed, and bolstering the natural existing elements of the cedar glade, a significant section of the park and structures incorporate materials from the middle Tennessee region, including cedar grown and milled in Lebanon, Tennessee and Crab Orchard stone from Crossville, Tennessee.
**Equity** and **Inclusivity** are integral to the park’s design philosophy. Mill Ridge is envisioned as a space that accommodates a diverse range of users, from local residents to visitors from various backgrounds. The park’s facilities are designed for flexibility, serving seasonal events, daily activities, and spontaneous gatherings. Public amenities, such as bathrooms, are crafted to be functional yet aesthetically aligned with the natural landscape, ensuring that all users have equitable access to high-quality facilities.
**Integration** extends to Mill Ridge’s collaboration with Cane Ridge High School. The park supports educational initiatives by providing flexible spaces for outdoor classrooms and school-supported extracurricular group meetings, combined with hands-on learning in bioscience and agriculture. This integration creates a seamless link between the park’s natural resources and the school’s curriculum, enhancing students' understanding of ecology, conservation, and environmental stewardship.
**Community and Connectivity** are at the heart of Mill Ridge’s design, with interconnected zones such as lush gardens, sports corridors, wild natural areas, and festive spaces. These areas are unified through greenways, paths, and trails, promoting a sense of community and encouraging active engagement. The design not only fosters a sense of belonging but also supports the diverse cultural practices of the community, creating a cohesive and vibrant public space with recreational and gathering opportunities for individuals and families alike.
The park's design provides a welcoming environment where people of a broad range of demographics can connect, celebrate, and engage with both the natural and cultural elements of the park. Mill Ridge Regional Metro Park is not just a shared public space; it is a testament to the enduring principles of sustainability, equity, and community integration, designed to inspire and unite for generations to come.
LEED/Green Certifications
Mill Ridge Park Host and Supports the following nonprofit, public, and educational institutions:
The Nashville Food Project
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Small World Yoga
Moves & Grooves
Root Nashville
Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee
Boy Scouts of North America Middle Tennessee
Hands on Nashville
Big Brother and Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee
Photo Captions
2- Design Drivers Diagrams
3- Overall Site Aerial and Diagram of Cedar Glade Conceptual inspiration
4- Phase 1 Plan with Future Phase 2 program and locations
5- North view of Amenity Structure and Toddler Play area
6- NW view of Amenity Structures and Rinse Wall
7- Detail of Glade Soffits, SW view of Amenity Structures, Event Gathering
8- Detail view of Glade Amenity Structures
9- Weekday evenings at the park
10- Skateboard patron engaging with Amenity Structures
11- Evening with kids dancing around music & light interactive installation
12- Kids and parents evening at play
13- Active areas of the park
14- Areas of seating shade and gathering
15- Details and Interaction with the Structures
16- Evening Skateboarding around the Structures
