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Parks board approves park namings, multiple permits and grants; several items deferred
Summary
At the April meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation the board approved park namings, permits for community groups, and acceptance of several in-kind and cash grants. Several larger grant and arts items were deferred for committee review.
The Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation voted to approve a package of park namings, permits and grants at its April meeting, including renaming Bellevue Park to Red Caboose Park and officially naming a creek in Bells Bend Park as Poplar Creek.
The board approved a permit package and multiple in‑kind and cash grants to friends groups and nonprofit partners that fund programming, park improvements and staffing. Actions approved included acceptance of in‑kind donations for a nine‑hole disc golf course at Brookmeade Park and equipment and staffing grants for community centers and park conservancies. Several items were deferred to other committees or the next meeting, including a large wayfinding and signage in‑kind grant for Shelby Park and the Watkins College of Art mural commission, which was deferred to the Arts Committee.
Why it matters: the approvals formalize use of park space and commit park staff to coordinate with partner groups on implementation; several of the grants and permits provide materials, installation or cash to build or maintain facilities without direct Metro Parks capital spending.
Key actions approved
- Rename Bellevue Park to Red Caboose Park (Council District 22). The naming committee reported unanimous approval and the board voted to adopt the recommendation.
- Officially name an unnamed stream in Bells Bend Park as Poplar Creek (Council District 1). Staff said the stream originates in Poplar Hollow and that nearby trailhead and parking have long used the Poplar Creek name; the board approved the naming.
- Approve tree removals (six trees) and grading/retaining wall work within Centennial Park for the Phase 3 30 First Avenue North pedestrian improvement project (Council District 21). Staff said disturbed areas will be restored to their original condition or better; the acquisition committee had recommended approval.
- Permit approvals and in‑kind grant acceptances: Southern Grasslands Institute — one‑year permit to restore grassland habitat at Raven Wind Park / Lytle Bend natural area (Council District 14); Indigenous Peoples Coalition — seasonal 4‑sisters garden at West Park and Shelby Bottoms (April–November; Council District 20 & 6); McCabe Little League — one‑year permit for baseball and tee‑ball fields at McCabe Park (Council District 24).
- In‑kind grant acceptances: Music City Disc Golf (MCDG) — materials and installation valued at approx. $6,350 for a nine‑hole disc golf course at Brookmeade Park (Council District 35); Friends of Sevier Park — in‑kind grant approx. $4,228 for new soccer goals at Sevier Park (Council District 18); McCabe Little League — in‑kind grant approx. $9,983 for improvements to a small baseball field at McCabe Park (Council District 24); Friends of Green Hills Park — in‑kind equipment approx. $50,000 and an additional in‑kind water‑line extension valued at approx. $600 (Council District 25).
- Cash grant acceptances: Nashville Parks Foundation — cash grant $20,400 for programming improvements to Metro Nashville community centers (citywide); Partners of 2500 W Heineman LP — cash grant $80,000 toward construction of public restrooms at Fisk Park in North Nashville (Council District 21); Centennial Park Conservancy — staffing grant $22,251.37 to fund a part‑time Parthenon Museum store position (Council District 21); Friends of Warner Parks — sweat grant $44,707.05 and staffing grant $61,223.49 for Warner Parks programming and seasonal staff (Council District 34).
Items deferred
- Friends of Shelby Park and Bottom in‑kind grant (approx. $30,000) for wayfinding, map kiosks and invasive plant management was deferred until next month.
- Watkins College of Art at Belmont University — in‑kind mural commission not to exceed $20,000; item deferred to the Arts Committee.
Implementation notes and conditions
- Staff noted that several permits and grants are contingent on meeting permit obligations and that none of the listed in‑kind donations require a Metro Parks cash match; in several cases materials and installation will be paid for directly by the donating organization and Metro Parks maintenance or staff will coordinate installation.
- For the Partners of 2500 W Heineman LP $80,000 donation to Fisk Park, staff clarified the donation is a contribution toward restroom construction, not the full project cost.
Next steps
Staff will publish permit copies and final grant documentation for public review as noted on the agenda and coordinate project schedules with partner groups.
