Peacock Hill Nature Park - Middle TN

Peacock Hill Nature Park – Middle TN

Part of the 25 Projects for 25 Years series.

For four generations, the Ogilvie family has been connected to their land in Williamson County, Tennessee. Although Walt Ogilvie and his siblings were raised in Atlanta and Indiana, the family always stayed close to the property, visiting often to hike the trails and enjoy the landscape. The Ogilvie family worked with The Land Trust for Tennessee to place a conservation easement on their land in 2018 before donating the land to Williamson County. Peacock Hill Nature Park officially opened earlier this year.

“We visited a number of times growing up,” Walt recalled. “Both of my dad’s brothers lived near the land, and we’d hike the trails before it ever became Peacock Hill. My dad loved the outdoors and hiking, and when he retired, he and my mom opened an inn on the property. They mapped out trails for guests, and whenever my siblings and I visited, especially around Thanksgiving, we’d hike those trails daily.”

The idea of donating the land to Williamson County came to Walt during a hike in Colorado. As he walked through the Garden of the Gods, he noticed a plaque recognizing the land’s donation to Colorado Springs. That moment sparked the idea: Peacock Hill could be a place for the public to enjoy, just as his family had for years.

“I’d hiked Garden of the Gods hundreds of times, and when I saw that plaque, I thought, ‘We need to do something like this with Hogg Hill,’” Walt said. “It made sense as a way to honor my family’s legacy and help improve the health of people in Williamson County. It’s great hiking—lots of hills, not flat—so it’s a good workout for people who come here.”

Walt’s parents, both outdoor enthusiasts, passed down their love of nature and health to their children. Walt remembered his mother’s hospitality and his father’s dedication to maintaining the land once used for farming and cattle. When they retired, his parents opened an inn on the property, Peacock Hill Country Inn, giving guests the chance to explore the trails they had built.

As his parents got older, it became harder to manage the land. That’s when the family began thinking about its future. Walt saw an opportunity to turn the land into a public park that would benefit the community. “I talked to my mom about it, and she loved the idea,” Walt explained. “We worked with a realtor, Dan McEwen, who connected us with The Land Trust for Tennessee. That’s when we met Emily Parish and started working on the conservation easement to permanently protect the land. It was important to us that the land would always be used for hiking and recreation.”

Williamson County Parks and Recreation quickly got on board, and Peacock Hill Nature Park was born. For Walt, this was more than a donation—it was a way to give back to the community. “My parents always encouraged us to stay healthy and set that example for us,” Walt said. “They knew that physical and emotional health are important for being productive in life.”

Walt’s niece, Dana, remembered how important the decision was to her grandmother, who passed away shortly before the park was opened. “I think it was about six years ago, right before my grandma passed away, we were talking about what we wanted to be done with the land. I’ll never forget—I was with my grandma, and she said, ‘As long as it’s free. I want people to experience the joy that this land has brought us.’ She and my grandfather were always generous, and it felt special to be part of something bigger than us.”

Dana also reflected on how the family still enjoys the land. “I went out there yesterday and hiked it with my aunts who were in town. We still get to enjoy it, and now so do other people,” she added.

The opening of Peacock Hill Nature Park was a meaningful moment for the Ogilvie family. By the time of the dedication, Walt’s mother had passed away, but her spirit lived on through the trails and the memories tied to the land. “I was hoping she would see it, but Williamson County did so much to honor both my mom and dad,” Walt said. “It was touching to see my family there, knowing that future generations will get to experience the land we’ve all enjoyed.”

The decision to donate the land has had a lasting impact. “Talking to Emily and others at The Land Trust, I was really encouraged to hear that our decision has inspired others to do something similar. It’s nice to think that more parks might be created because of this,” Walt reflected. “When I went back to hike the trails again, I saw people from all backgrounds out there enjoying the land. It was heartwarming to see how much it’s appreciated.”

Beyond the physical benefits, the land also holds emotional and spiritual value for the family. Walt spoke about the Prayer Chapel, a peaceful spot on the property that has become a meaningful place for reflection. “One of the trails leads to the Prayer Chapel, and it has a beautiful view,” Walt shared. “I don’t know how it was built, but it became a spot where we’d go to reflect. My nephew even got married there right after the park’s opening ceremony. It’s special to all of us.”

Walt hopes Peacock Hill Nature Park will continue to create memories and promote well-being for everyone who visits. “Not everyone has land they can give, but anyone who walks these trails can appreciate it,” Walt said. “I hope it inspires people to volunteer or support organizations like The Land Trust that work to protect these places. This land has been a blessing to our family, and now it’s a blessing to the public.”

Williamson County Parks and Recreation Director Gordon Hampton expressed his gratitude to the Ogilvie family for their donation, encouraging people to visit Peacock Hill. “Visitors’ presence in the park reinforces the commitment from the Ogilvie family to make this generous gift that supports the excellent quality of life in Williamson County,” Hampton said.

Thanks to the Ogilvie family’s generosity, Peacock Hill Nature Park now stands as a place for people to explore, reflect, and enjoy for generations to come.

“I knew I wanted these trails to be available forever, but I didn’t want to have to maintain them myself!” Walt joked. “It’s been incredible to see so many people benefit from something that means so much to my family. That’s what’s really cool about this whole process.”

Find out how you can support The Land Trust for Tennessee’s conservation work.