The Renaissance Park site

Discover more about the area where the sculptues will be placed.

Renaissance Park has an intriguingly varied history. At various times it served as ferry station; an overland route during the Trail of Tears; an army blockhouse during the Civil War; a camp for African American soldiers, as well as for freed slaves; and for much of the twentieth century, a site for industrial plants.

Today, Renaissance Park truly lives up to its namesake. As a former polluted manufacturing site, the park now occupies 23 green acres on the north shore of the Tennessee River, including a 1.5 acre constructed wetland that filters water from two sources of urban pollution in the area. The lower 13 acres of the park running parallel to the River remains wild and forested, in hopes that native flora and fauna will return along the banks.

The park is located next to Coolidge Park off of Manufacturers Road. Depending on which sculptures are chosen, the Hunter proposes to place the works in either the more manicured area between the hills near the park entrance, or closer to the flooded forest along the Tennessee River.