Mayor Freddie O’Connell announced Friday that Metro Nashville will acquire 300 acres of forestland to expand Alvin G. Beaman Park, permanently preserving a key section of the city’s Highland Rim forest.

The acquisition is being completed in partnership with The Conservation Fund, which purchased the property and will temporarily hold it before transferring ownership to Metro Nashville Parks.

“A forest is not scenery. A forest is infrastructure,” O’Connell said. “It cools our summers. It slows our floodwater. It filters our streams. It cleans the air we breathe. I’m grateful to my team, Metro Parks, The Conservation Fund and all the funders who helped make this acquisition possible.”

The additional acreage expands Beaman Park within the Highland Rim Forest, one of the Southeast’s largest intact forest ecosystems. City officials said preserving the property will help protect Nashville’s tree canopy, wildlife habitat and streams while creating additional opportunities for hiking, recreation and public access to nature.

“Protecting this land ensures one of Nashville’s treasured natural landscapes will benefit people and wildlife for generations to come,” said Zachary Lesch-Huie, Tennessee state director for the Conservation Fund. “As Tennessee continues to grow, we look forward to protecting more places that strengthen our communities and connect people to the outdoors.”

Metro Parks Director Monique Horton Odom called the acquisition a long-term investment in Nashville’s future.

“The addition of these 300 acres of pristine forest will benefit generations to come,” Odom said. “Whether it’s preserving our tree canopy, protecting wildlife, sustaining our ecosystem or expanding recreational opportunities, protecting this land is an important milestone in the park’s history.”

The Conservation Fund used $3.2 million from its revolving fund to purchase the property. Metro Nashville contributed $1 million, while the Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund awarded an additional $1.08 million. The Beaman family also made a lead gift of $1 million, with additional support coming from local partners, foundations and individual donors.

The park expansion comes as Metro Parks updates its long-range master plan, ‘Plan to Play,’ to address the city’s continued growth.

Earlier this month, Metro opened Mariposa Park in South Nashville. O’Connell has also launched the 2026 Greenways Challenge, encouraging residents to walk, run, ride or roll on every Nashville greenway during the year. More than 500 people have signed up for the initiative.