Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville is restoring and transforming the historic 1966 Parkwood Community Club ballfields in North Nashville with a $2.5 million renovation underway as part of a broader community initiative, announced Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville’s Sherry Stinson, senior vice president of Public Affairs, at a press conference on August 13. The renovation project for the ballfields includes new field turf, Musco lights, fences, dugouts, scoreboards, parking, concrete, and roadways for two youth fields.
Major donors including Morgan Wallen, through his Morgan Wallen Foundation, MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF), and the Speer Foundation, each contributed $500,000 to launch the campaign in 2023. The Nashville Sounds baseball organization also participated in the campaign offering annual player scholarships to the eight Parkwood Baseball teams over the past two years.
This ball field renovation is part of a broader community effort led by Habitat for Humanity, which encompasses the creation of a 59-acre Metro Park and the construction of 26 Habitat homes. Stinson underscored the significance of funding partners in this collaboration including Russ and Allison Burns, The Memorial Foundation, Bank of America, The Frist Foundation, Joe C. Davis Foundation, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Nissan, Charles Hawkins, and the Barnes Housing Trust Fund who provided funding for land and infrastructure for the park and for Habitat’s 26 home build.
Additional contributors to the ballpark renovation include the Rogers Group, Hankook Tire America Corp., airbnb, Musco Lighting, Warner Athletics, First Horizon, FHLB, The Neal Agency, and HCRx. The combined efforts will represent a $12 million investment in District 2.
Along with providing renovations to the Parkwood ballfields, Habitat for Humanity also re-parceled the land purchased from the Nashville Metropolitan Government to create a section of land for a future Metro Park, while also securing additional land for the park’s north trailhead.
Stinson explained that the age and condition of the historic Parkwood ballfields resulted in renovation costs far exceeding the original scope. Habitat’s initiative to raise additional funds resulted in several significant accomplishments. Stinson highlighted the generosity of those who donated to ensure all the renovations moved forward. She also recognized the critical support from District 2 Councilwoman Kyonzte Toombs.
The Parkwood Community Club has produced notable athletes, including Mookie Betts and Golden Tate. It was the site of Nashville’s first integrated baseball games in the 1970s, and in the 1980s, Parkwood became Tennessee’s first athletic club to be owned and operated by a minority Board—one of only five in the U.S.
This year, the revitalized fields have inspired three Parkwood teams to reach state competitions undefeated and one team to compete in the Dixie Youth World Series.
“Growing up, I spent countless hours out on the diamond. Those hours taught me life lessons I still hold close today and helped me realize the value baseball can have on youth,” said Wallen. “Being a part of this project and revitalizing these Parkwood fields – right here in Nashville – to ensure the kids have a place to play for many years to come is something I am really proud of.”
“We are honored to be a part of this project that will have a long-lasting impact on the North Nashville community and beyond,” said MLB Vice President Baseball & Softball Development and YDF Board Member David James. “The renovations to this historic ballpark aligned perfectly with YDF’s mission to fund initiatives that both support and foster future baseball and softball opportunities to young athletes across the country.”
“The Speer family is delighted to be a partner with the many stakeholders who have collaborated in making this effort a resounding success,” said Cabot Pyle, Speer Foundation executive director. “And the Foundation is honored that its name is associated with these new ballfields and clubhouse, and with the neighboring community who will no doubt call this place a second home for generations to come.”
Stinson remarked, “The significance here is that so many individuals and businesses recognize how important Parkwood is to its past and future players, the community, and the broader Nashville story. Thanks to our generous funders and partners, Parkwood’s next inning will be on new turf fields and with improved facilities.”
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville builds homes, communities and hope in five counties: Davidson, Wilson, Dickson, Cheatham, and Robertson. Habitat operates three retail centers in Davidson, Wilson and Dickson counties to support its mission to provide working men and women the opportunity to purchase a quality, affordable home with a 0% APR mortgage. www.habitatnashville.org
About Musco Sports Lighting: Musco Lighting is a global leader in the design and manufacture of sports and large-area lighting solutions. For over 45 years, Musco has pioneered innovations in LED technology, offering customized systems that improve visibility, reduce energy costs, and minimize environmental impact at venues ranging from local sports fields to the world’s premier stadiums.
