RESOLUTION NO. RS2012-340

A resolution recognizing July as Park and Recreation Month in the City of Nashville.

WHEREAS, parks and recreation programs are an integral part of communities throughout this country, including Nashville and Davidson County; and

WHEREAS, our parks and recreation are vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in our communities, ensuring the health of all citizens, and contributing to the economic and environmental well-being of a community and region; and

WHEREAS, parks and recreation programs build healthy, active communities that aid in the prevention of chronic disease, provide therapeutic recreation services for those who are mentally or physically disabled, and also improve the mental and emotional health of all citizens; and

WHEREAS, parks and recreation programs increase a community’s economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of the local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction; and

WHEREAS, parks and recreation areas are fundamental to the environmental well-being of our community; and

WHEREAS, parks and natural recreation areas improve water quality, protect groundwater, prevent flooding, improve the quality of the air we breathe, provide vegetative buffers for development, and produce habitat for wildlife; and

WHEREAS, our 117 parks on approximately 11,000 acres of land, 50 miles of greenways, and 4 nature centers provide a place for children and adults to connect with nature and recreate outdoors; and

WHEREAS, our 5 regional and 18 neighborhood centers offer children the opportunity to participate in competitive sports, organized games, cultural arts, environmental awareness, fitness activities and receive assistance with homework; and

WHEREAS, these same centers also offer adults and seniors the opportunity to participate in the cultural arts such as dancing, drawing, music and multi-cultural events, fitness and athletics; and

WHEREAS, Metro Parks offers a year-round supervised program for individuals with disabilities and has done so for more than 35 years focusing on adult day programs, monthly weekend activities for all ages and a summer day camp; and

WHEREAS, our historical sites – Two Rivers Mansion, Stone Hall, Fort Negley, and The Parthenon continues to attract visitors from all across the globe; and

WHEREAS, we have seven golf courses in a championship system that offers all levels of golf to our visitors and residents; and

WHEREAS, Metro’s Park Police and Mounted Units patrol our parks and greenways daily to ensure the safety of our residents; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. House of Representatives has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month; and

WHEREAS, Nashville and Davidson County recognizes the benefits derived from parks and recreation resources; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes the designation of the month of July as Parks and Recreation Month and encourage all citizens of Nashville to join us in recognizing the importance of our nation’s parks and recreation facilities and to learn more about how to support the places that bring our communities a higher quality of life, safer places to play and healthy alternatives through recreation programming for everyone; and

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

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing July as Park and Recreation Month in the City of Nashville.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Mr. George Anderson, chair of the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation and Tommy Lynch, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department.

Section 3. 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: Darren Jernigan, Phil Claiborne, Sandra Moore

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	July 3, 2012
Adopted:	July 3, 2012
Approved:	July 5, 2012
By: