Bicentennial Mall State Park
Encyclopedia
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located in the shadow of the State Capitol in downtown Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
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The 19 acre (77,000 m²) park, designed to complement the Tennessee Capitol Building, gives visitors a taste of Tennessee's history and natural wonder. It opened June 1, 1996 to serve as a lasting monument to Tennessee's Bicentennial celebration.
Park Rangers, well-versed in Tennessee's historical, natural and recreational attractions, are available to conduct organized tours of the park, give programs to large groups or to simply visit with park visitors about the wonders of Tennessee.
The park also includes erupting geyser fountains, each of which represent a river in Tennessee. The fountains are framed by a large wall, next to which a stream runs to represent the Mississippi River. These fountains are frequented in the summer by many children.
The walls that surround the park have, etched into them, a timeline of Tennessee's history.
The park contains a large grass space (the "Mall") that stretches from the outside auditorium situated adjacent to the front plaza on James Robertson Parkway, to a circle of bells that ring on the hour, located at Jefferson Street. Also built was a three-building complex containing the Farmer's Market, an international market, and a building that hosts a weekly flea market, all located off of Rosa L. Parks Boulevard (formerly 8th Avenue).