Five on Friday

Five on Friday posts feature five things for which I am thankful.  I haven't done one of these in a while, so I decided to throw one up today.  I drove around yesterday taking pictures of a few things I really like in my hometown of Clarksville, Tennessee.  With so many things to see, I could actually fill several of these segments... and maybe I will.

#5  Fountains

We love our fountains in Clarksville.  Below are just a few.  Most are not flowing right now since winter is almost upon us.

The Children's Fountain, by Roy T. Goodwin

Detail from above.  

"Chaos" memorializes the 1999 Tornado

Courtyard memorial at First UMC.  The stupid photographer's shadow is in the foreground.

#4  Steeples

The skyline of our downtown is a veritable pincushion of steeples. 

First Presbyterian, which might be the prettiest church in town.  You can't tell from the photo, but the steeples are verdigris. 

Trinity Episcopal

First UMC

After nearly the entire front of the church was demolished by the tornado, they did a wonderful job of restoration.  These steeples were the final touch.  I kept waiting, and waiting for their completion, finally realizing they intended to leave them in this skeletal form.  At first, I wasn't a fan, but it's beginning to grow on me.

#3 Greenways  

We have awesome public areas and parks to walk, bicycle, and just enjoy.

#2 Art & Architecture  

After most of downtown was blown away by the F3 tornado of 1999, we rebuilt new buildings to blend in perfectly with the old.

Named after it was constructed over Mrs. Lucinda Elder's strawberry patch sometime in early/ mid 1800s.

This is a near replica of the courthouse which was demolished in the tornado.

If I remember correctly, the eagle is from the original structure.

I'm thankful the Customs House was spared in 1999.  I imagine it would have been very difficult to restore.

I'm not sure if those are gryphons or eagles on the corners.  

Franklin St.

#1 Parks & Rec.

There is not a finer Dept. of Parks and Recreation ANYWHERE!  They work so hard making Christmas spectacular at the Riverfront park.  They also keep ice cold waters in the coolers at the greenway, and tirelessly prune, mow, and beautify the public areas.

Riverfront park is peppered with hidden speakers that were already playing Christmas music yesterday when I visited to get these pics.

Every single lamp post! 

The work represented here just staggers me...

...and yet, this guy was so pleasant when I asked if I could take his picture.  

This will look like a skating pond when the lights come on after dark.