A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Department of Parks and Recreation to address the parking situation at Centennial Park by allowing parking on certain grassy areas, by visibly marking the areas where parking is and is not allowed, and by stationing Park Rangers at certain events to ensure that the public does not park in the wrong areas.

WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Metropolitan Council that many of our citizens had their cars towed from Centennial Park the weekend of September 30, 2006 while attending an annual crafts fair; and

WHEREAS, Centennial Park has long held such events and people for years have parked throughout the park without being towed; and

WHEREAS, there are a limited number of parking spaces in and around Centennial Park, which are not sufficient to accommodate the large number of people attending some of the events at Centennial Park; and

WHEREAS, because of the limited number of spaces, people have had to park in the grass at Centennial Park; and

WHEREAS, although parking in the grass is not the best thing for the park, it certainly allows for events like the crafts fair to continue to be held at the Park; and

WHEREAS, if we eliminate the means for people to come and enjoy the festivities at Centennial Park, those events may just end up going somewhere else.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as:
1. Encouraging the Parks Department to quickly come up with a sensible solution to the parking situation at Centennial Park, including the reinstatement of parking in the grassy areas where any drainage systems or sprinkler systems are not likely to be damaged;
2. Requesting the Parks Department, in a gesture of good faith to the citizens of Nashville and surrounding areas who had their cars towed from Centennial Park on September 29, September 30 and October 1, 2006, to dismiss the tickets and any related charges that are under the discretion of the Parks Department; and
3. Requesting the Parks Department to find better ways to identify areas where citizens and visitors cannot park in Centennial Park, and that Park Rangers step up their efforts to make sure that our citizens and visitors do not park in the wrong spaces.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Parks and Recreation Director Roy Wilson.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jim Shulman