Metro Parks announced today that because of health concerns regarding the coronavirus that all the department's programming and classes will be suspended beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 through March 22, 2020. The suspension is a recommended social distancing tactic to help prevent the person-to-person spread of the virus.
Metro Parks Director Monique Odom said, "This is a very fluid situation which we will assess on an on-going basis and make public updates as needed. It was a hard call to make, knowing that so many in the community depend on us for after-school programming, Spring Break activities, athletics and other recreational outlets - but considering yesterday's communications from Mayor Cooper, our Health Department, and the Center for Disease Control, we felt it best to follow the protocol recommended by the experts to help flatten the curve to reduce the spread of this virus."
"We hope to get back to our regular classes and programming soon, but for now it's safety first. We know it's disappointing and we apologize for the inconvenience – but ultimately it's in the best interest of the thousands of children and adults who utilize our facilities on a regular basis."
The suspension of programming and classes means there will be no Spring Break programming for children and no day programs for seniors. Patrons who have event reservations scheduled at any community center from March 16, 2020 through March 23, 2020 will have the option of a complete monetary refund or to reschedule their event. Additional programs and classes that will be suspended beginning March 16, 2020 include:
- competitive athletic games in community center gyms;
- fitness classes at the Centennial Sportsplex and Regional Community Centers;
- the department's disABILITIES program for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
- art, music, theater, dance, and nature center classes and programs;
- programs and classes at Fort Negley and Two Rivers Mansion;
- group tours and field trips at the Parthenon;
- tennis clinics at Hadley Park and the Centennial Sportsplex;
- and open swims at any pool (lap swims only).
Golf courses, the ice rink and tennis centers at the Centennial Sportsplex and Hadley Park remain open. Although regional centers will remain open, neighborhood centers will temporarily close. Staff at those centers will be dispersed to regional centers and other divisions within the department. Regional centers will operate at their normal hours and patrons will be allowed to utilize the facility's fitness center, walking track, and pool. Fitness center users at both the Sportsplex and Regional Centers will be expected to wipe down equipment before and after use with the supplies provided by the department. Please see a list of all Parks fitness centers for more information.
Metro Parks offers a variety of facilities and programs throughout Davidson County and oversees 15,134 acres of open space, including 178 parks and nearly 100 miles of greenway. The department provides fitness and arts classes, sports leagues, ice hockey, art galleries, dog parks, nature and environmental programs and activities as well as programs for seniors, special populations, and children after school. It is the mission of Metro Parks to equitably provide everyone in Nashville with an inviting and sustainable network of parks and greenways that offer health, wellness and quality of life through recreation, conservation and community.