Raccoons and the Magic Horseshoes
Belle Meade, Tennessee
Installed October 22, 1995.
Bronze mounted on grass
Horseshoe walls of Tennessee native stone
Children’s Bridge, Belle Meade

The Raccoons and the Magic Horseshoe
by Nancy Schön

As long ago as anyone can remember, generations of raccoon families have made their dens in the two magic horseshoe walls made of stone at the Children’s Bridge across Belle Meade Boulevard. Rodney Raccoon lived there with his two brothers Randy and Ricky and his two sisters Ruthie and Rosie. Rex, the huge legendary horse who left his shoes on the bridge forever ago was king of the land and as king he was all powerful. He insisted that every raccoon that ever lived on this bridge must have a name beginning with the same letter as his.

Raccoons were delighted with the horseshoe stonewalls because they were near water and everyone knows that raccoons are joyful when they are near water. The Children’s Bridge spanned a fascinating creek, where there was no lack of luscious tadpoles, crayfish, salamanders, snakes and frogs -- all the goodies that a raccoon could ever want to meet and eat. They could even scratch for turtle eggs in the mud, washing them as is their custom, in the clear, cool water before eating them. There was also an abundance of grasshoppers, crickets, insect grubs, and, best of all, bumblebees. Raccoons think bumblebees are the very,very best. Because of their heavy fur, the raccoons never get stung and can freely partake of these tasty morsels. However, the most wonderful treat, next to corn, honey, and blueberries was the inexhaustible supply of acorns found near the ancient oak trees of the area.

Belle Meade was the perfect place for an intelligent, curious raccoon family. It was beautiful in the spring with its old arching dogwood trees and gnarled wisteria. Even the bleak winter landscape was colorful as the many varieties of holly produced strikingly bright red and orange berries. It was a quiet residential city with no commercial activity allowed. The streets were not congested and the beautiful homes were surrounded by large parklands. The kits tirelessly played follow the leader amongst the nooks and crannies of the magic horseshoes and they could squeeze into the small spaces between the stones to enter their home to rest and cuddle together as was their wont. The only drawback for the raccoons was that Belle Meade was a well ordered city. It was hard for them to find garbage cans since they were collected twice a week and the dead trees that raccoons like to make their dens in were removed by the Beautification Commission in a wink.

Everyone liked to come to the magic horseshoes to play with the raccoons or to visit with their neighbor or just to sit and dream. Legend has it that if you come to the Children’s Bridge, you will have good luck. That’s why so many people love to come to the Children’s Bridge. Wouldn’t you?

Sculpture by Nancy Schön