Downtown Nashville Unveils First "Creative Crosswalk," Inspired by the Iconic Ryman Auditorium
New project marks a milestone for NDP’s Parks and Placemaking Department and brings art, safety, and a stronger sense of place to downtown Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Downtown Partnership (NDP) today announced the debut of downtown Nashville’s first-ever Creative Crosswalk, a colorful, artist-designed intersection that will be installed November 17 near the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Created in collaboration with the Ryman and the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT), the design is inspired by one of Nashville’s most iconic venues: the Mother Church’s iconic stained-glass windows. While several Nashville neighborhoods have introduced creative crosswalks in recent years, this installation will be the first in downtown —a welcomed and colorful new element in the heart of Nashville.
The project is among several initiatives from NDP’s Parks and Placemaking programs, which aim to enhance public spaces with initiatives to build a more active and attractive downtown.
“People often think of parks and greenspaces when it comes to the concept of placemaking, but we also look at plazas, streets, and sidewalks when it comes to transforming good spaces into great places” said Crissy Cassetty, Vice President of Parks and Placemaking at the Nashville Downtown Partnership. “Creative crosswalks add beauty and identity to our streets, and they also serve a practical purpose by encouraging slower vehicle speeds and improving pedestrian safety, which is important for downtown workers, residents, and visitors alike.”
The Creative Crosswalks initiative aligns with the themes highlighted at NDP’s 2025 Annual Meeting, where keynote speaker George M. Roberts underscored the importance of investing in parks and placemaking as a strategy for urban vitality and quality of life.
These initiatives aim to reinforce Nashville’s strong identity and sense of place. By investing in placemaking efforts, NDP works to build an even better downtown for all of us.
Additional crosswalks are planned for key downtown intersections in the coming months. For more information about the Nashville Downtown Partnership and its Parks and Placemaking initiatives, visit Nashvilledowntown.com
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About Nashville Downtown Partnership
Organized in 1994, the Nashville Downtown Partnership is a private-sector nonprofit corporation and membership organization whose core purpose is “to make Downtown Nashville the compelling urban center in the Southeast in which to LIVE, WORK, PLAY and INVEST.” For more information, visit nashvilledowntown.com.