| Agency Name: | Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation |
| Jurisdiction: | Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| Headquarters: | 2565 Park Plaza Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| Chief1 Name: | George Anderson |
| Chief1 Position: | Chairperson |
| Chief2 Name: | Stan Fossick |
| Chief2 Position: | Vice-Chairperson |
| Chief3 Name: | Monique Odom |
| Chief3 Position: | Parks Director |
| Parent Agency: | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Website: | http://www.nashville.gov/parks/ |
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 10710acres of park space.[1] The Board boasts over 100 stand-alone parks and 7 municipal golf courses.[2]
In 1901, Nashville Mayor James Marshall Head created the Nashville Parks Board.[3] The plan was to create several neighborhood parks and four larger parks of about 50acres, one built in each quadrant of town.[3] 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 72acres of prime land that had been used in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. The site became known as Centennial Park.[3]
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.
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.