Nashville Parks Commission Discusses Youth Basketball, Turf Project Funding

The Nashville Parks and Recreation Commission held their regular monthly meeting yesterday, addressing youth sports programming and updates on park improvement projects.

During the meeting, Parks Director Meghan Floyd reported that the department has launched a basketball skills day program for youth, which began Tuesday night. Skills days will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Floyd explained that teams will not be ranked and that all participants will receive the same award at the end of the season, with the program’s primary goal being to teach children the fundamentals of basketball. A total of 95 kids are participating in the program.

Floyd also shared that other towns have reached out expressing interest in bringing their teams to Nashville to compete. She said this could provide an opportunity to increase revenue, noting there will be a fee charged per team. Commission members stated that as long as parents and coaches understand and follow the city’s rules and regulations, participation from outside communities should not be an issue. The commission approved a motion to allow out-of-town teams to participate in league play.

In other business, Floyd announced the park recently received a $25,000 grant to help move forward with the turf project. She added that she is currently working with sponsors, with one already committed to donating $50,000 toward the project. Following discussion, the commission approved a motion to contribute $100,000 toward the turf project.

Floyd said she plans to make a presentation to the Nashville City Council next month and will provide another update to the commission at their next meeting.