Parks division reports 700 annual event permits, outlines natural resources plan and recent prescribed burns

Jim Hester, who manages the Natural Resources, Outdoor Recreation and Events Division, delivered the division’s annual update and discussed permitting, outdoor programs and natural resource management.

“We issue about 700 permits annually with estimated attendance of around 1,000,000 people attending these events,” Hester said, describing the range of permits from large city events to neighborhood activities and weddings. He explained that items appearing on the board’s consent agenda represent events that have passed initial review for amplification, fundraising or alcohol and that final permits remain contingent on compliance with logistics, security and maintenance requirements.

Hester outlined outdoor recreation partnerships with volunteer groups including SORBA (the Southern Off Road Bicycle Association) which builds and maintains mountain bike trails, and Music City Disc Golf, which builds and maintains disc golf courses. He noted there are currently six disc golf courses and that approval of a Brookmeade Park course would bring the total to seven.

On natural resources, Hester said Metro Parks is advancing a natural resource management plan recommended by the Plan to Play process. He summarized the plan’s threefold mission: develop a board‑approved natural area designation and identify specific park properties for that designation; adopt sustainable land‑management strategies appropriate to those natural areas; and promote research and education that supports conservation. Hester described techniques already in use — reduced mowing, targeted burns and use of livestock for invasive species control — and reported two successful prescribed burns at Warner Park and Shelby Bottoms conducted to reduce invasives and manage woody encroachment.

Why it matters: Hester said the permitting program enables a large volume of public events while the natural resources plan aims to protect habitat, reduce long‑term maintenance costs and balance recreation with conservation.

Questions and follow up

Board members asked about trends in event demand and capacity. Hester responded that demand is growing as urban density increases and parks serve as shared yards for people who lack private outdoor space, and he said Metro Parks is expecting a busy summer while recruiting for a new outdoor recreation director.

Implementation notes

Hester said items on consent reflect events that passed initial staff review; final permit issuance depends on meeting site‑specific requirements. The natural resource management plan will be brought to the director and the parks board for review as the department refines designations and management strategies.