Park Board Approves 2026 Plan to Play Update

Metro's Park Board today approved the 2026 Plan to Play Update, the city's Parks and Greenways Master Plan which will help guide investments through 2031.

"Parks matter more than ever in a growing city like Nashville," said Metro Parks Director Monique Horton Odom. "The board's approval of this update reflects both how far we've come and what it will take to meet the needs of the future."

Originally adopted in 2017, Plan to Play established a bold, community-driven vision for Nashville's parks system. The 2026 update builds on that foundation. It is not a new plan, but a continuation of the work already underway, shaped by updated data, community input, and the realities of a rapidly growing city.

Since 2017, Metro Parks and its partners have made significant progress expanding and improving access to parks and greenways across Davidson County. Highlights include:

• 16 new parks opened or in development
• Nearly 600 acres of new park land acquired
• 14 new greenway segments, bringing the system to 110 miles
• More than $270 million invested in park facilities
• Expanded programming now serving thousands more youth, families, and seniors
• Nonprofit "Friends" groups and partners have contributed $28+ million since 2021

These investments have strengthened neighborhoods, increased access to outdoor space, and enhanced quality of life across Nashville. At the same time, continued population growth and rising demand are placing new pressures on the system. The updated plan outlines a clear, strategic path forward, prioritizing maintenance of existing assets, addressing deferred needs, and making targeted investments to ensure the system can grow sustainably.

"The Plan to Play 2026 update focuses on six key areas: Land, Facilities, Greenways, Programs, Operations, and Funding. The Action Plan at the conclusion of the document prioritizes recommendations within a tiered framework of different funding scenarios. This flexible, practical approach will help guide Metro Parks' decision-making and align investments with available resources over time," said Tim Netsch, Assistant Parks Director of Planning.

Community members are encouraged to attend an upcoming open house to learn more and share feedback:

• June 2: Parks Boardroom, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., 2565 Park Plaza
• June 3: Hartman Community Center, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., 2801 Tucker Road
• June 4: Bellevue Community Center, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., 7638 A Highway 70 South
• June 16: Hermitage Community Center, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., 3720 James Kay Lane
• June 18: Southeast Community Center, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway, Room 202

The full plan can be seen online at the Plan To Play: Countywide Parks and Greenways Master Plan page

CONTACT: Jackie Jones@(615) 862-8400 / (629) 305-7075 or Tim Netsch@(615) 862-8400