Centennial Park renovations push forward with Advance Financial donation

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) – Donations are pouring in for phase two of the Centennial Park renovations. The latest $300,000 gift from Advance Financial was announced Sunday on the company’s 20th anniversary.Advance Financial CEO Tina Hodges announced the donation in front of a crowd on the great lawn. Hodges and her husband grew up in Nashville and wanted to give back to the park they visited often as children.“When we found out a few years ago they were taking efforts to restore the park we contacted our good friend Sylvia and said, ‘What can we do? How can we help?’” Hodges told Channel 4. “When we thought of bringing the community together, we thought there’s no better place than Centennial Park.”Construction is expected to start next fall on phase two, which includes doubling the number of walking trails, redesigning the great law and improving public access to Lake Watauga.So far, the city of Nashville has committed $15 million and HCA another $5 million. The fundraisers are now reaching out to the public asking for small donations through a new public campaign.“All of us, whether we’re native Nashvillians or like so many of my friends who’ve moved here from out of town and call Nashville home, have an opportunity to be invested in Centennial Park,” said Parthenon & Centennial Park Conservancy President Sylvia Rapoport. “It’s a public campaign for people who want to give $20, $50, $100, anything up to $2,500.”For more information, visit www.pictureyourpark.com.