Metro Parks board approves community garden, farmers market permits and multiple in‑kind grants
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Summary
At its meeting the Metro Board of Parks and Recreation approved one‑year permits for a community garden and a seasonal farmers market and accepted several in‑kind grants and donations including large contributions for Warner Parks and Shelby Park improvements.
The Metro Board of Parks and Recreation approved permits and accepted several in‑kind grants and donations during its May meeting, including a one‑year permit for a community garden in Hermitage and a seasonal farmers market permit in Glencliff.
Board action affects a mix of neighborhood projects and large park improvements but, in most cases, requires no direct Metro Parks cash outlay because projects will be paid for or maintained by outside groups. Director Odom told the board, “Staff recommends approval,” for the permits and grants presented.
Key approvals included: a one‑year permit for Friends of Donaldson to establish a community garden at 3101 Hartland Drive at Hartland Park in Council District 15; a permit for the Glencliff Neighborhood Group to host a farmers market at 384 Thompson Lane (Coleman Park) from May through July in Council District 16; and acceptance of a renewal application for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for FY 2026 to provide meals and snacks at 17 community centers citywide.
The board also accepted in‑kind grants and donations: approximately $30,000 from Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms for wayfinding and park information signs (Council District 6); an in‑kind grant up to $1,152,000 from Friends of Warner Park to fund the next phase of Warner Parks improvements (Council District 24); an approximately $95,000 in‑kind grant from the Middle Tennessee Pony Club for a grass riding surface at Percy Warner Park (Council District 34); $1,500 from Friends of Shelby Park for bus rentals for summer enrichment programs; and a $2,000 general donation from Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms to Metro Parks.
Two arts projects were handled differently: a Watkins College of Art mural project at the Easley Community Center was deferred by the Public Arts Committee; and a Sister Cities of Nashville mural request for Morgan Park Community Center was withdrawn to work out maintenance details.
Two conservation easement items tied to subdivision approvals (parcels on Kemp Drive, Hermitage) were deferred to the acquisition committee; staff said the easement dedications were conditions of the planning commission’s subdivision approvals.
All motions on these consent and new‑business items were presented by board members, moved and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote (recorded as “Aye” with no recorded opposition).