Nashville Board of Parks and Recreation
# Nashville Board of Parks and Recreation

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. The Board boasts over 100 stand-alone parks and 7 municipal golf courses.

## History

In 1901, Nashville Mayor James Marshall Head created the Nashville Parks $Board.^{:81}$ 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 $town.^{:81}$ Nashville's first park, Watkins Park, was created in 1909. 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 $Park.^{:81}$

## Administration

The Park Board has seven members, appointed for five year terms. The current board is composed of:

* George Anderson,
* Stan Fossick,
* Dr. Michelle Steele, "vice-chair"
* Tari Hughes,"chair"
* Susannah Scott-Barnes
* Dr. Sharon Gentry, representing the Board of Education
* Jeff Haynes, representing the Planning Commission

The Parks Director, who oversees day-to-day operations, is currently Monique Odom.

Divisions of the Parks Department include Maintenance, Planning, Recreation and Community Centers, Special Services, Natural Resources and Greenways, and Park Police.

## Attractions

Nashville Parks' most famous attraction is the Parthenon, based in Centennial Park, which is a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens. It was originally built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition.

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.

