When you consider the livability of a city or the quality of life of the residents, access to parks and green spaces are often cited as one of the most important factors. So it’s no surprise that when Money Magazine named Clarksville the best place to live in 2019, access to parks and green spaces was one of their grading criteria. Clarksville has dozens of parks and green spaces - some large enough to host hundreds of soccer players, some tucked inside quaint neighborhoods. The list below is by no means exhaustive but it will give you an idea of just how many great parks are available to the residents of Clarksville!
ROTARY PARK
Located in the middle of the Sango area, this 111 acre park offers something for everyone. In addition to its recently updated playground, there are miles of mountain bike or hiking trails, an 18 hole disc golf course, and the newly added Wade Bourne Nature Center. Drive through the main entrance off the bypass and you are instantly surrounded by the lush green of the surrounding trees. The quiet of this expansive space will make you forget you are in the middle of a bustling city.
One of the most unique aspects of the updated playground is the addition of a double swing that holds two people facing each other. Also known as the Expression Swing, the orientation promotes eye contact and connection between a parent and their child. It’s also a whole lot more fun than pushing the back of a swing for thirty minutes! This interactive playground also offers some shaded seating for those who have played a little too hard.
Across from the first playground is the Wade Bourne Nature Center. Just past the Center is a second playground. This spot, however, is different from any other playground in Clarksville. Life size concrete tree stump replicas give you the feeling that you have stumbled upon a forgotten village of tree gnomes. With tunnels and “limbs” to climb on with a rubbery carpet to land on, this area offers a unique take on a classic playground.
CIVITAN PARK
Located off Bellamy lane in the Bethlehem community, Civitan park puts its 50 acres to good use! If you know anything about the ball fields in Clarksville, you have probably at least heard of Civitan Park. With 4 baseball and 4 softball fields, there is no shortage of ball games here! Civitan Park also includes the Rotary Field of Dreams, a ball field specifically designed for kids with special needs. If ball games are not your thing, you can spend your time playing horseshoes, letting your dog run in the small dog park, or playing on one of the tallest playgrounds in Clarksville. Complete with a covered play-set for the smaller kids and two giant tunnel slides for the more adventurous, Civitan will give folks of all ages a reason to smile.
COY LACY PARK
Nestled in a neighborhood just off the bypass, Coy Lacy Park probably isn’t on the radar of too many people. Surrounded by trees off a quiet street, this older park is great for those looking for a smaller, more intimate park experience. However, thanks to a large grant from the Community Health Foundation and the Rotary Clubs of Clarksville, Coy Lacy Park is going to be getting a significant upgrade! Expect to see an updated play-set, swings, and other modern additions by 2023.
LIBERTY PARK
Head downtown towards the Cumberland River and you can’t miss Liberty Park. This 146-acre park sits adjacent to the river and has been a beautiful addition to the city. With its 10-acre fishing pond, a fantastic playground, a dog park, and multiple pavilions and sports fields this park stays busy with community activity. The playground, with its castle-like towers, is beautifully constructed of predominantly wood. With several swings, towers, tunnels, and slides there is plenty to pass the time. Situated near the back of the park you will enjoy the view of the river and walking path on one side and the expansive green fields on the other. This location provides a quiet atmosphere - quite far from the activity of Riverside Drive. If you’re looking to stroll or let the kids run out their wiggles, there is a great path around the fishing pond, in addition to the ever expanding greenway.
HERITAGE PARK
You know those hot summer days where all you want to do is be close to the water? Well, Heritage Park is home to one of several splash pads in Clarksville. The large Rotary Wheel shaped pad sits adjacent to the playground and is open 10am-7pm during the summer. Multiple spouts that shoot water in the air make this a great spot to cool off! Next to the splash pad is the newly renovated playground which features a rope climbing area that closely resembles a spider's web. Slides, bridges, and other interactive features make this one of North Clarksville’s best parks. Got a skateboarder in the family? Heritage Park is home to the only skateboard park in all of Clarksville!
Thankfully, there are multiple seasons that allow us to get outside and enjoy the parks in Clarksville! Be it a splash pad in the middle of summer or the tunnel slides on a cool fall day there are so many great areas to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you prefer an afternoon of solitude or hanging with your friends and family, get out there and explore some of the many parks that Clarksville has to offer!
