Centennial Park Conservancy

Centennial Park Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has experienced significant growth and name changes in the past 40 years. The organization began in 1985 as the Athena Fund Foundation when nickels and dimes were collected by school children and adult visitors to pay for the creation of the statue Athena inside the Parthenon. Upon completion of this project in 1989, the group became the Parthenon Patrons Foundation with a focus on supporting Nashville’s landmark museum. In 2005, the organization's mission and scope was expanded to include Centennial Park, and underwent a name change to Friends of Centennial Park and the Parthenon. Then in 2009, the non-profit was once again renamed as The Conservancy for the Parthenon and Centennial Park. The organization significantly expanded in 2010 with the introduction of Musicians Corner, Kidsville, and the Centennial Park Master Plan. The first phase of park improvements focused on Cockrill Spring, Lake Watauga, and Musicians Corner and was completed in 2017. In an effort to focus more on the park as a whole, the organization simplified its name in 2019 and changed it to Centennial Park Conservancy. Centennial Park Conservancy began managing Nashville Earth Day in 2020 and introduced the Centennial Park Maintenance Fund to focus more on helping Metro Parks maintain the park for our community. In 2021, the Parthenon Preservation Fund was created to provide more support and care for Nashville’s iconic landmark and the second phase of park improvements focused on the Great Lawn was completed. Centennial Park Conservancy is currently fundraising for improvements to the Park Plaza side of the park, including increasing park access from the 31st Avenue Connector and construction of an Event Pavilion and Croquet Cafe. This phase is expected to be completed by 2026.

We work in partnership with Nashville’s Metro Parks to support Centennial Park and the Parthenon. The organization underwrites and presents a variety of enriching programs that make a widespread imprint on the Nashville community and our visitors. Key programs include Nashville Parthenon exhibition and educational initiatives, Musicians Corner, Kidsville, and Nashville Earth Day. Centennial Park Conservancy is also partnering with Metro Parks on the Centennial Park Revitalization, a multi-phase transformation of the park that will preserve and enhance Nashville’s central park to better serve current and future generations.