At the corner of Elysian Fields Road and Croft Middle School in South Nashville, a community garden has grown for more than six years. What was once a neglected strip of land is now a thriving green space, tended daily and open to everyone who passes by.
The garden was started in 2020 by a neighbor named Michael, who began planting during the early days of COVID. Over time, it became a gathering point for the neighborhood — a place where people stop to talk, where kids learn about plants, and where the block feels a little more alive.
In late March 2026, Metro Nashville employees arrived without prior notice. They padlocked Michael's tool storage and dismantled his water setup. No letter was sent to the community. No public hearing was held. The garden's future was put in jeopardy overnight.
The community is now organizing in response. District 26 Councilmember Courtney Johnston is investigating the situation. As of now, no one has been able to confirm who ordered the shutdown or the specific reasoning behind it.
COVID Park — Elysian Fields Rd at Croft Middle School
