Monday, November 21, 2011
Phillips The Public Square: A Review
Posted by Betsy Phillips on Mon, Nov 21, 2011 at 6:32 AM
Size of Park: About the size of a large neighborhood park
Crowds: Light
Approximate Age of Patrons: Adults
Topics of Conversation: Excuse me, officer, but where do I park?
Stray Dogs Seen: None
Types of Vehicles in Parking Lots: All kinds
Perceived Safety: Medium-high
Number of Gunshots Heard: None
Dog Friendliness: Not great, but they do have poop bags
Number of pitbulls sighted: None
Accessibility: Fine
Incorporation of Local History: Excellent
Recommended Patrons: All Nashvillians
That lasted all of three seconds. This park is beautiful. And from it, you get great views of the city. It really feels like a city park, too, like a place that could just as easily be Chicago or New York (until you see all the ways they've made the park very specifically Nashville). It feels situated downtown in a way that gives you a better appreciation of downtown. I'll admit that at first I thought those clear plastic dudes were corny, but when you're up on the square, you really do feel like making a sweeping gesture with your arm that says, "Here's my city." And so it's nice to have some giant art-people doing that for you.
I wasn't sure how the little girl standing on a pile of books holding a plastic bra fit into the story of the city, but the other lovely thing about the park is just how much incorporation of local history there is. There are two big stone areas on the observation tower devoted to Robertson and Donelson. There's a lovely little stone timeline of Nashville's public squares that echoes the Tennessee timeline in the state's Bicentennial Park. The park also has lovely water features and a nice plaque commemorating the end of segregation.
I also noticed that most of the people in the park while I was there were women, like at about a 10:2 ratio. I don't know if this is because it's such an awesome park or if it's because something about how it's set up feels very safe.
I didn't go up on the observation deck because I am afraid of heights, but it appears to offer some really cool views of the city. And the courthouse itself is incredibly beautiful. It's one thing to see it driving by, but it's another to stare at it for a while.
I don't say this lightly, but i think this may be a perfect park. If you, like me, haven't checked it out, it is definitely worth your time.
