You’re driving down Blakemore Avenue in Nashville, past the sprawling brick of Vanderbilt University, when you see it. A massive, undulating, multi-colored serpent erupting from the grass. Honestly, if you ask a local for directions to Fannie Mae Dees Park, they might pause for a second. But ask where "Dragon Park" is? They’ll point you right to it.
It’s a weird, beautiful place.
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Most people come for the 150-foot mosaic sea serpent—which, let's be real, we all just call a dragon—but there is a heavy history under those tiles. It’s not just a playground; it’s a monument to a neighborhood that almost disappeared.
The Woman Who Fought City Hall
Fannie Mae Dees wasn't an architect or a city planner. She was a neighbor. Back in the 1970s, "urban renewal" was the buzzword of the day, which basically meant the city wanted to scrape away older homes to make room for university expansion and hospitals.
Fannie Mae lived on Capers Avenue and she wasn't having it.
She became a legendary thorn in the side of the Nashville Housing Authority. She famously put a coffin in her front yard to protest the "death" of the neighborhood. She didn't win every battle—many homes were demolished—but she fought hard enough that the city eventually turned a chunk of that disputed land into the park we see today. She died before it was finished, so the city named it after her as a sort of peace offering to the community.
That Giant Dragon (Err, Sea Serpent)
Around 1980, the city brought in Chilean artist Pedro Silva. He had done this cool community art project near Grant’s Tomb in New York and Nashville wanted that same vibe to help heal the neighborhood.
The dragon is functional art. You can climb its back, sit in its curves, and hide in its shadow. But the best part? The mosaic.
Silva didn't do it alone. He had hundreds of locals come out and create their own tile designs. If you look closely at the "scales," you’ll find:
- A portrait of Fannie Mae Dees herself.
- Random birds and alien creatures.
- Dolly Parton (because it’s Nashville, obviously).
- Smiley faces and secret messages from kids who are now grandparents.
It’s a giant, stone-and-tile time capsule. In 2017, the dragon was looking pretty rough—tiles were falling off and the structure was crumbling. The community rallied again, raising money for a massive restoration that wrapped up a few years ago. It looks brand new, but it still has that gritty, handmade soul.
More Than Just a Mosaic
While the dragon gets all the Instagram love, the rest of the park is actually one of the most thoughtful layouts in Middle Tennessee.
Lily’s Garden
This is the "all-abilities" section. It was one of the first truly accessible playgrounds in the area, designed so kids in wheelchairs could actually play on the equipment, not just watch from the sidelines. It’s got smooth rubber flooring (no woodchips in your shoes!) and sensory-heavy stations.
The Rock Fort
At the back of the park, there’s this rugged, stone-wall climbing area. It feels like a medieval ruin. There’s a tunnel that goes through the middle and a wooden platform at the top. It’s a bit steep, so it’s usually where the "big kids" hang out while the toddlers stay by the sandpit.
2024-2025 Updates
If you haven't been in a while, things look a bit different. The "Nature Play" area underwent a serious refresh over the 2024/2025 winter season. The goal was to replace some of the aging timber with more durable, natural-feeling materials. Most of the work finished up by Spring 2025, so the paths are crisper and the "forest" vibe is stronger than ever.
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A Few Real-World Tips for Your Visit
Parking is kinda the worst part. There’s metered street parking on 24th Avenue South and some spots along Blakemore, but it fills up fast, especially on Saturday mornings when the sun is out.
- Bring Chess Pieces: There are built-in stone chess tables near the picnic shelters. No one ever brings pieces, so if you do, you’ll look like a pro.
- The Bathroom Situation: There are public restrooms near the playground. They are generally clean, which is a miracle for a public park, but they do close at dusk.
- Picnic Shelters: You can reserve these through Metro Parks, but honestly, people just grab the open tables if they aren't marked. It’s a top-tier spot for birthday parties.
- The "Fire" Trick: Local legend says if you stand at the exact right angle during a full moon, the dragon looks like it’s breathing fire. I’ve never seen it, but hey, it’s worth a shot.
Fannie Mae Dees Park is located at 2400 Blakemore Avenue. It’s walkable from the Hillsboro Village shopping district, so you can grab a coffee at Fido or a pancake at Pancake Pantry and then walk it off while your kids exhaust themselves on the dragon’s back.
Your Next Steps
- Check the weather: The mosaic tiles get surprisingly hot in the direct July sun; aim for a morning visit if it's summer.
- Pack a blanket: The grass near the dragon is a prime "hammock and book" zone.
- Look for the faces: Spend five minutes actually looking at the mosaic tiles—the level of detail in the community-made art is better than any museum.