Three prominent Nashvillians shared in the vision that produced the Warner Parks. Colonel Luke Lea deeded the initial 868 acres of land to the city of Nashville in 1927. His father-in-law, Percy Warner, was then chairman of the Park Board and envisioned preserving a natural area park for the city in the spirit of the great national parks. After Percy Warner's unexpected death later that year, Lea successfully petitioned the board to name the new park after him, and Lea's own contributions were recognized in the naming of Luke Lea Heights, one of the highest points in the park. Edwin Warner joined the Park Board after his brother Percy's death, eventually became chairman, and was a driving force behind the parks' expansion and development. In 1937 the Park Board designated land west of Percy Warner Park and across Old Hickory Boulevard as Edwin Warner Park. Now more than 3,000 acres in size, the Warner Parks lie in the Nashville Basin, whose hills, ridges, and valleys are remnants of the surrounding Highland Rim. The rock is primarily limestone, with many moss-covered outcroppings, and most of the land is covered by rich deciduous forest marked by oak-hickory and beech-maple forest types. The parks protect native flora and fauna, including about 100 tree species, more than 400 wildflowers, and 200 fungi, along with nearly 200 species of birds, 30 mammals, and about 40 kinds of reptiles and amphibians. This urban forest serves Nashville as a peaceful refuge for relaxation, reflection, wildlife viewing, hiking, bicycling, running, and other responsible recreation, while encouraging appreciation and respect for the natural world. Heavy visitation in recent years has also made these sensitive natural areas vulnerable to overuse and abuse, seen in damage from parking in undesignated places, braided and eroded trails, hectic traffic, and other impacts.

Photo: Darren Jefferson Clay

Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), Tennessee · USA