Habitat Hits a Homerun for Parkwood ballfields in North Nashville
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville has completed a $2.5 million transformation of the historic Parkwood Community Club ballfields—reviving a beloved North Nashville landmark and advancing its mission to build homes, communities, and hope. The renovation delivered two new turf fields, Musco lighting, new fencing, dugouts, scoreboards, expanded parking, and new ADA sidewalks. |
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Founded in 1966,
Parkwood became one of Nashville’s earliest integrated baseball and softball venues. At its peak, it hosted 28 teams with up to 500 youth participating. In 1984, the Parkwood Board purchased the property, becoming the only known African American owned and operated youth sports complex in Tennessee—and one of only five in the nation.
The project was jump started by three $500,000 gifts from the Morgan Wallen Foundation, the MLB MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, and the Speer Foundation, with additional support from the Nashville Sounds, who also provided annual player scholarships for Parkwood’s eight teams.
Post pandemic decline and aging facilities prompted Habitat to step in with an initial $300,000 commitment in exchange for land for affordable homes. Ultimately, Habitat raised $2.5 million to fully renew the ballpark.
The renovation is part of a broader, $10 million community investment that includes a new 59 acre Metro Park and 26 Habitat homes. “From funding partners to vendors to volunteers, everyone gave more than they had to,” said Habitat Project Lead Sherry Stinson. “We are grateful for the enormous hearts and willing hands that made this restoration possible.”
