Shelby Park

Once occupied by Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippean cultures between 11,500 B.C. to 1600 A.D., the land known as Shelby Bottoms was used for farming until the modern era. Three well known farms included Oakland Farm, owned by the Barrick Family; Wild Acres, owned by the Henderson Family; and Fortland Farm, owned by the Fort family. It is this latter family whose property neighbored Dr. John Shelby's property, after whom Shelby Park is named. The Metro Council began to purchase land during the 1990s, and in 1994, it created and announced Shelby Bottoms as its primary greenway park. The park protects the rich river bottom land with boardwalks over streams and wetlands.