Less than 4 miles from the bright lights and honky tonk sounds of Broadway is Shelby Bottoms Nature Center and Greenway! The Shelby Bottoms Nature Center is an environmental education and recreation facility of the Nashville Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation.
If you’re looking to get outside and explore with your kiddos (or pups) in tow, The Nature Center and Greenway are the perfect place for you! The Nature Center has more than 950 acres of Shelby Bottoms Greenway to explore and 336 acres in the adjacent Shelby Park, which has a golf course and baseball fields. Nashville B-Cycle station allows visitors to rent a bike to enjoy cruising on the Greenways and bike lanes.
Shelby Bottoms offers free public nature and environmental education programs, school field trips, outdoor recreation programs, volunteer opportunities, and hosts many special activities for people of all ages.
The facilities include the nature center which houses history exhibits, art, photography, and a library with field ID guides, as well as children’s books. There are also many areas and trails for children to play including a nature slide, playground and nature exploration area.
There are many paths to choose from to walk, run or ride bikes. On our bike ride, we saw baby bunnies, beautiful butterflies and a SNAKE!
Shelby Bottoms Nature Center hosts many free and inexpensive events throughout the year including a MUDDY PLAY DATE! You can find out all of their upcoming programs here.
Shelby Bottoms Greenway is open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk. The Nature Center is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 to 4 p.m. Shelby Bottoms is a treasure in East Nashville!