Back Lawn renovation continues 

Students, families, and faculty returning to campus will see progress on USN's most anticipated campus improvement of summer 2026.
Photo caption: Crews lay gravel where the turf field will be installed in mid-August.

By Juanita I.C. Traughber, Director of Marketing & Communications

Construction continues on the transformation of University School of Nashville’s Back Lawn, which will soon feature a turf field, a two-lane track, two basketball courts, amphitheater seating, and more. The facility upgrade fulfills a key goal of USN's strategic framework by creating a vibrant, multi-use outdoor space.

In fall 2025, a small group of USN parents began dreaming about what the large grassy area behind six academic buildings could become. What started as enthusiastic conversations soon grew into colored-pencil sketches, conversations with other urban schools, and, ultimately, their generous financial support.

Juliet Douglas, a true Tiger athletics enthusiast, provided the passion and leadership that carried the project forward during her year as Interim Director. The Board of Trustees endorsed this $1.23 million project in April, following three months of topography, utilities, geotechnical, and stormwater surveys. Hodgson Douglas Landscape Architects and USN parent Richie Jones designed the space, and SportsTurf Construction had worked heavily on implementation.  More than 40 families contributed to the project once it was announced in the spring.

“The new back field space will be one of the most versatile areas on our Edgehill Campus. It will be in constant use for recess, PE classes, After School, athletic workouts and practices,” said Director of Athletics Josh Scouten. “We are excited about the opportunities it creates for students to learn, move, compete, and build community in a space designed just for them. The new space has been thoughtfully designed to invite them to play, explore, and be active.”

The centerpiece of the project is a 100x200-foot athletic turf field, replacing a grass field carefully tended each season yet trodden hard into the dirt over the course of the year as 800 pairs of feet crossed it from the time the school day began at 8 a.m. through the closing of After School at 6 p.m. It will be painted with the school’s athletic logo and surrounded by a two-lane walking track, with eight laps making a mile. The two basketball courts can also be used for badminton, pickleball, volleyball, and tennis.

“The fact that we are giving our kids a place to play no matter the weather is the biggest benefit,” said Director of Operations Erik Mash. “We struggled so much with the level of usage that our previous field had. This [turf field] will give us a surface that can handle the levels of play that happen on the Back Lawn, and that play can happen even when weather conditions are not optimal.”

The new playground and gaga pit installed in summer 2025 as well as the natural play area will be surrounded by Bermuda grass. Designed for outdoor learning and community gatherings, a 120-foot amphitheater seating area has also been added in the southwest corner near the West Wing and Tibbott Center. In addition, new 8-foot fencing will be installed around the perimeter of the Back Lawn; the previous iron fencing lining the 19th Avenue senior and visitors parking lot will replace the chain-link fence lining USN’s 21st Avenue South parking lot.

Construction began in July with fencing removed, a trench dug across the 19th Avenue parking lot and lawn, and crews moving tons of dirt. While construction has progressed steadily throughout the summer, the project will require a few additional weeks before students can enjoy the Back Lawn, as the curing process required for the newly installed concrete and track surfaces ensures a beautiful, durable finish that will serve the community for years to come. All work, painting, and curing are expected to be complete by late September, allowing the Back Lawn to be fully used for Fall Fest, when families can celebrate this exciting new addition to campus together.

In addition to the Back Lawn in the rear of the 7-acre Edgehill Campus, USN’s 81-acre River Campus is home to a dozen athletic playing fields, an eight-lane track & field complex, eight tennis courts, dedicated baseball and softball facilities, and a solar power generation array.
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Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

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1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

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University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.