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All the United States Tennessee Nashville Dragon Park

Dragon Park

This popular park is home to a sea serpent sculpture that now overshadows the twisted history of its creation.

Nashville, Tennessee

Added By
Ken J
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Seating on the tail.   KenJ / Atlas Obscura User
Seating on the tail.   KenJ / Atlas Obscura User
Panorama of the park.   KenJ / Atlas Obscura User
The serpent’s head.   KenJ / Atlas Obscura User
The sculpture.   KenJ / Atlas Obscura User
Yoda   KenJ / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Closeup of the sculpture.   KenJ / Atlas Obscura User
Closeup of the sculpture.   KenJ / Atlas Obscura User
  GREG MEYER md / Atlas Obscura User
Dragon Park   louisrap2003 / Atlas Obscura User
  GREG MEYER md / Atlas Obscura User
  mocchiatto / Atlas Obscura User
Dragon Park   louisrap2003 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Despite being known as "Dragon Park" for decades, the distinct sculpture in this public park is actually a 150-foot long sea serpent built around 1980. The official name of the park is Fannie Mae Dees Park, and the following is their combined story.

The park came into being in a most unusual way, so maybe it's appropriate it's now home to such an unusual feature. In the 1970s, the land between two universities (Vanderbilt and Belmont) was seized during a phase of urban renewal efforts and some residents were displaced. The move was heavily disputed by many locals, the most fierce opponent being a woman named Fannie Mae Dees who lived on nearby Capers Avenue.

As the city pressed on, Dees displayed a coffin in front of her home along with signs protesting the death of the neighborhood. After a lengthy battle with city hall, the home she had shared with her mother was demolished along with blocks of others. Some land was used for a new boulevard, some added to the Vanderbilt campus. But at the corner of 24th Avenue a large plot remained vacant. The development plan there had failed, but the homes were already scraped away. With some twist of fate the parcel became a new public park, and the city named it after Dees, who had died in the interim. 

As a way to bring the remainder of the neighborhood together, a plan was hatched for a large sculpture, designed by Chilean artists Pedro Silva, to decorate the park. The creature was covered with mosaic tiles laid out by locals. Many people turned out for the project and their colorful designs coat the serpent; parents now show their children the parts they made. Included among them is a portrait of Fanny Mae Dees.

Related Tags

Local History Sculptures Parks Public Mosaics Art Protest

Know Before You Go

Though it's not easily noticed while driving, it's hard to miss the distinct serpent once you walk into the park. Street parking is available.

Community Contributors

Added By

KenJ

Edited By

Julie, Collector of Experiences, louisrap2003, GREG MEYER md...

  • Julie
  • Collector of Experiences
  • louisrap2003
  • GREG MEYER md
  • mocchiatto
  • aymanduh

Published

October 1, 2019

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Sources
  • https://wpln.org/post/curious-nashville-how-a-mosaic-dragon-became-a-neighborhood-mascot-near-vanderbilt/
  • https://www.nashville.gov/Portals/0/SiteContent/Parks/docs/planning/Master%20Plan/FMD%20Booklet_small.pdf
  • https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Permits-Rentals-and-Reservations/Picnic-Shelters/Fannie-Mae-Dees.aspx
  • https://www.nashvillepublicradio.org/post/curious-nashville-how-mosaic-dragon-became-neighborhood-mascot-near-vanderbilt#stream/0
Dragon Park
2400 Blakemore Ave
Nashville, Tennessee
United States
36.13813, -86.805943
Get Directions

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