The Nashville Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation (commonly, Metro Parks and Recreation or Nashville Parks and Recreation) is the municipal board that is responsible for maintaining the parks system of Nashville, Tennessee, United States, and furnishing recreational opportunities for city's residents. The board maintains over 10,710 acres (4,330 ha) of park space.[1] The Board boasts over 100 stand-alone parks and 7 municipal golf courses.[2]
History
In 1901, Nashville Mayor James Marshall Head created the Nashville Parks Board.[3]: 81 The plan was to create several neighborhood parks and four larger parks of about 50 acres (0.078 sq mi), one built in each quadrant of town.[3]: 81 Nashville's first park, Watkins Park, was created in 1909.[4] During his two terms as mayor, Head also negotiated the city's acquisition of 72 acres (0.113 sq mi) of prime land that had been used in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. The site became known as Centennial Park.[3]: 81
Administration
The Park Board has seven members, appointed for five year terms. The current board is composed of:[5]
The Parks Director, who oversees day-to-day operations, is currently Monique Odom.[6]
Divisions of the Parks Department include Maintenance, Planning, Recreation and Community Centers, Special Services, Natural Resources and Greenways, and Park Police.[6]
Nashville Parks also runs the nearby Centennial Sports Complex, which has an Olympic-sized pool, an ice rink, and a workout area. The Complex rink is home to the Nashville Predators's practice facilities.
^ abcKreling, Christine; Bachleda, F. Lynne, Ed. (2021). A History of Nashville's Warner Park. Nashville: Friends of Warner Park. ISBN9781087977775.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^David Madden, "Insiders' Guide to Nashville, 7th Ed.," Globe Pequot, (2009), p. 210.
^"About Us - Park Board"(PDF). Nashville Parks and Recreation. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
