Our 2026 Beneficiary

In close partnership with the Metro Nashville Parks & Recreation Department, Friends of Warner Parks is dedicated to preserving and protecting Percy and Edwin Warner Parks, an environmental oasis, outdoor classroom, and historic landmark for the Nashville community. Through forest stewardship, trail restoration, research, and educational programming, the organization protects these beloved parks and sustains their vitality for generations to come.

Swan Ball Community Impact

In the second year of Swan Ball’s five-year plan with Friends of Warner Parks, proceeds from the Ball will support essential improvements throughout the parks while expanding opportunities for children across Nashville to connect with nature. Swan Ball funding helps bring more children to the parks and delivers high-quality, nature-based learning directly to Metro Parks community centers throughout the city.

A cornerstone of this effort is the Nature Discovery Program, built on more than 50 years of environmental education. Through hands-on experiences, such as identifying native plants, tending pollinator gardens, and preparing seeds for spring, children build confidence, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Currently offered at 13 of Metro Parks’ 26 community centers, the Nature Discovery Program will expand to all 26 centers with support from Swan Ball. Funding will also help maintain trails, enhance programs at the Nature Center, and preserve the historic structures that make Warner Parks a vital public asset. By bringing outdoor learning into after-school spaces across Nashville, Swan Ball ensures equitable access to nature and environmental education for children in every neighborhood, including those historically underserved.

Additionally, Swan Ball funds operating expenses for SB Initiative, Inc.