The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA), in partnership with Metro Arts Commission, Mayor Karl Dean, and Dowdle Construction Group, recently broke ground on Edmondson Park, located at 1642 Charlotte Avenue, across from the Oasis Center. The park is named for Nashville native William Edmondson, a self-taught artist who was the first African American to have a solo show at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The park will include sculptures and limestone column fragments from the Tennessee State Capitol, as well as walkways and children’s play areas. The park was designed by Hawkins Partners. Dowdle Construction is the contractor. Participating in the groundbreaking ceremony were (l to r): Ralph Mosley, MDHA; Jim Thiltgen, MDHA; Tom Ward, Oasis Center; Erica Gilmore, Metro Council; Mayor Karl Dean, Nashville Mayor; Ronnie Steine, Council At-Large; Jennifer Cole, Metropolitan Arts Commission; Glynn Dowdle, Dowdle Construction Group; Tommy Lynch, Metro Parks; and Chase Manning, Dowdle Construction Group. The park will be completed in the spring of 2014.