A historic bench in Centennial Park now honors Dolly Parton and her longtime connection to Nashville, literacy and the park itself. More Entertainment News
Metro Parks and Centennial Park Conservancy dedicated the bench near the Sunken Garden on Saturday, August 29, during the grand opening of the park’s revitalized north side.
The new plaque reads:
Turn a Page
Sing a Song
And imagine
For Dolly,
We will always love you.
The location carries a special connection to Parton. In 1975, photographer Raeanne Rubenstein photographed the young singer in Centennial Park’s Sunken Garden, capturing dozens of images of Parton on one of the park’s historic conversation benches.
A print of one of those photographs, showing Parton reclining on the bench, will be placed on permanent display inside the Parthenon when its Athens of the South exhibition reopens.
The dedication also highlights Parton’s connection to childhood literacy. For the past eight years, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has partnered with Centennial Park Conservancy’s Kidsville program on literacy programming at the Parthenon and Musicians Corner.
“Dolly Parton has given so much to Nashville and to children around the world, and it is especially meaningful that this tribute lives in Centennial Park, where she was photographed more than 50 years ago,” said Monique Horton Odom, director of Metro Parks and Recreation, in a release.
Brooke Siegel-Rochelle, senior manager of Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee, said the bench serves as a reminder of Parton’s impact through music, storytelling and reading.
The bench is located a short distance from another Centennial Park bench honoring Taylor Swift.
The dedication was held as Centennial Park unveiled improvements to its north side, including a new event pavilion and Croquet Cafe, the first restaurant located inside a Nashville park.
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