Marcella Vivrette Smith Park
Park InfoRMATION
Hours: Dawn to Sunset
OVERVIEW
The trail system offers a complete experience, featuring XC, flow trails, natural and constructed rock features, with ample climbing and satisfying descents. The trails span a full spectrum of technical difficulty, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. While the system encompasses about 7 miles of trails, riding the entire network will require revisiting certain segments more than once.
Trail Descriptions
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Hardscuffle Haul offers a smooth trail featuring a manageable yet fitness-challenging climb and a flowing descent, complete with a stream crossing and numerous switchbacks. The trail predominantly consists of smooth hardpack, interspersed with a few rock features that offer optional bypasses.
Around 1867, previously enslaved individuals began purchasing property along what was known as Hardscuffle Road in Brentwood, which is now the area of Church Street East and Interstate 65. The road, composed mainly of solid rock with a layer of gravel, was aptly nicknamed Hardscuffle. This close-knit African American community boasted three churches, a two-room schoolhouse, and a baseball field, all of which served as unifying landmarks for the neighborhood.
During the mid-1970s, the majority of families started selling their land. The construction of Interstate 65 led to an increase in property values, presenting many families with the opportunity to profit. However, one family, still residing on Church Street East, chose not to participate in the sale. Brentwood wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for the Hardscuffle community.
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Kittie's Crossing is a brief trail featuring a stream crossing, linking back to Hardscuffle Haul. Miss Kittie, an individual enslaved at the Wilson Plantation, which is present-day Smith Park, is the namesake of this trail.
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Noble's Corner, also known as NoCo, is the name given to our central hub.
In 1929, Dr. Albert H. Noble, the grandfather of Alex Noble, boldly purchased five acres at the intersection of Old Hickory and Franklin Road for $5,000. At that time, Franklin Road was just a gravel path, and Brentwood's main commercial activities were centered around Wilson Pike.
The Nobles played a pivotal role in turning the crossroads of Old Hickory and Franklin Road into Brentwood's bustling community hub. Now, this very corner is home to Walgreens and serves as Brentwood's principal junction, leading to the majority of its shopping, dining, entertainment, and hotels. The Noble family was key in developing this corner into a significant commercial center.
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The Raven is a flowing descent trail featuring berms, tabletop jumps, and rock drops. It is thought that the Cherokee Tribe of Native Americans named Sam Houston "The Raven." Sam Houston was a close friend of the Wilsons, who bought the land where the park is now located. He served as the Best Man at the wedding of James and Emeline Wilson and was the namesake for their home, Ravenswood Mansion.
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Mississippian is flowing singletrack with rock features. The name Mississippian is in reference to the Mississippian culture that used to reside on the land before mysteriously abandoning from the region leaving behind many artifacts of their time here.
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Emeline is a technical downhill trail featuring rock drops, engineered rock formations, and banked turns. It is named after Emeline Wilson, the spouse of James Hazard Wilson, who together established their residence at Ravenswood.
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Harpeth Turnpike is a swiftly descending trail that snakes back down to the stream. At the trail's end, you can either return to the trailhead or venture out to the park's rear for another loop of your choosing.
In 1837, the Harpeth Turnpike Company began construction of the Harpeth Turnpike (now known as Wilson Pike), which ran from the Little Harpeth River Bridge to Rigg's Crossroads, covering a distance of 23.5 miles. Stockholders included James C. Owen, Noble Ladd, James H. Wilson, Reese Corzine, Jabez Owen, John Holt, and John A. Holland. Between Brentwood and Arrington, three tollgates were erected, leaving the southern stretch to Rigg's Crossroads undeveloped.
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Tower Trail offers a smooth singletrack experience with rocky features, boasting a view of the iconic WSM Radio Tower.
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Boiling Spring Schoolmarm is a dynamic trail that ascends to Noble's Corner, or NoCo, which is our designated hub area. It features challenging rocky terrain and tight switchbacks.
The trail is named after the historic Boiling Spring Academy, located just north of Smith Park. Boiling Spring Academy, a restored one-room schoolhouse from 1830, is situated in Primm Historic Park on Moores Lane, near Wilson Pike. The park hosts two National Register properties: the Boiling Spring Academy, founded in 1830, and a prehistoric Native American Mound Site dating from 900 to 1500 A.D. This site, excavated by the Smithsonian in the 1920s, is recognized as the Fewkes Site.
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Fox Run is a challenging trail known for its rocky descent, featuring rock drops, constructed rock formations, and berms. The trail's many twists and turns mirror the complex tale behind its name.
Following James H. Wilson's death, his youngest son Robert stayed at Ravenswood, while his other two sons resided in nearby homes—Oak Hall and Harpeth.
Robert, an avid fox hunter, often joined his nephew George R. Wilson of Oak Hall and other neighbors on hunts. One day, Robert captured a fox and brought it back to Ravenswood. When George and his friends demanded the fox's return, Robert refused.
The dispute escalated to court, and then to a special court in Nashville after Robert argued that his African American witnesses were barred from testifying. Tragically, Robert was murdered on Wilson Pike while returning from the Nashville court. Suspicion fell on George and his associates, but nothing was proven, and George hastily left for Missouri.
The saga continued as Robert's will, which bequeathed Ravenswood to the Methodist church, was contested by the remaining Wilson brothers, who ultimately prevailed. With Robert's passing, he became the last Wilson to inhabit Ravenswood, which was then sold following the resolution of the estate.
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Stonebox is tight, off camber, rocky singletrack. A Stonebox is stone casket left behind by the Mississippian people who used to reside on the land.
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Freedom Pass is a challenging, rocky trail designed for technical climbing. The name of the trail symbolizes the difficult journey from slavery to freedom that the enslaved endured. Records indicate that 55 slaves worked on what was once the Wilson Plantation, now known as Smith Park.
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Forge Seat is a challenging, rocky downhill trail known for its rock drops, man-made rock structures, and banked turns.
Also known as the Samuel Crockett House, Forge Seat was a two-story brick residence constructed by Samuel Crockett in 1808. The property earned the name 'Forge Seat' due to the presence of an iron forge, which was renowned for producing exquisitely made rifles.
Notable individuals, including Andrew Jackson en route to Louisiana during the War of 1812 and, purportedly, Davy Crockett on his journey to Texas, were among its distinguished clients.
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Creasey is a challenging, rocky descent trail known for its rock drops, engineered rock formations, and banked turns. Little is known about Miss Creasey, except that she was among the few enslaved individuals at Wilson Plantation (present-day Smith Park) whose name has been recorded.