Nashville Park Board Addresses Light Usage, Facility Costs, and New Programs
The Nashville Parks and Recreation Board of Directors met this week to discuss facility usage, utility costs, and upcoming recreational programs.
Parks and Recreation Director Meghan Floyd reported that the department spent more than $20,000 on electricity for the softball and baseball fields last year. She noted that part of that expense comes from citizens leaving field lights on after using the facilities.
To help offset costs and encourage responsible use, Floyd recommended implementing a usage fee for lights when citizens use the fields outside of official park programs.
The board also discussed updating the park’s credit card readers. The current system would cost about $450 to replace, plus additional processing fees. Floyd said she plans to switch to the Square payment system, which has a similar equipment cost but lower transaction fees.
Floyd announced that the park will introduce the MLS Go soccer program next season, describing it as similar to the popular NFL Flag Football league. Registration will cost $35 per child, and the department will apply for a $100,000 grant through the program to support the initiative.
Floyd also presented preliminary research on adding a splash pad to the park. The estimated cost begins at $300,000, depending on the number of water features installed. A small model includes eight spouts, which would circulate about 5,760 gallons of water per hour. She explained that the system would be classified as a municipal pool, requiring a holding tank and regulatory compliance.
In other updates, the basketball season will tip off with a Jamboree on November 8, followed by league play starting Monday, November 10. Games will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights, with 109 boys and girls participating this season.
Finally, the park’s annual Trick or Treat Trail is scheduled for Thursday, October 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. More than 20 vendors have signed up to hand out candy during the family-friendly event.