JOHN COOPER, MAYOR METROPOLITAN BO Centennial Park Oftice Park Plaza at Oman Street Nashville, TN 37201 S AND RECREATION (615) 862-8400 Fax (615) 862-8414 wowwinashville govrparks Monique Horton Odom, Director December 20, 2022 Councilmembers, We are writing in regard to Ordinance no. BL2022-1533 which would accept an easement on property owned by Lowes Home Centers, Inc. adjacent to Brookmeade Park. With the amendment proposed by Councilmembers Druffel and Hausser, the easement would allow for placement of a fence to secure the property. As most of you know, Brookmeade Park is scheduled to officially close on Wednesday, January ath, Without approval of the easement, we will not be able to secure the park, and this property will remain in its present state. The amendment proposed by Councilmembers Druffel and Hausser allows the Parks Department to effectively close the park and prevent additional people from moving into the encampment so that the department can begin the remediation process. Our Maintenance Department, along with volunteer groups, and the Health Department have put in an extraordinary number of hours and resources in addressing critical health hazards in this park. Our Parks Police, along with MNPD’s West Precinct, have utilized extensive patrols and strategies to address the very serious issues of alcohol and substance abuse, drug dealing, prostitution, and a variety of other hardcore crime issues that these encampments attract. We appreciate MHID’s efforts to secure housing for those who so desperately need it. We are fully in support of the Housing First Model and believe it to be beneficial not just for those experiencing, homelessness but for the many businesses, area residents, park users, and others impacted by this {ssue. While we are hopeful that everyone will accept housing, we realize that not everyone offered housing will agree to take it. We understand that while there are those who feel strongly, and we are among them, that people should not be living in the park, we also know that there are those who feel parks are public land and it is their right to live where they please. The complications causing homelessness, as ‘you well know, are driven by a variety of issues, that are just as complicated as the reasoning behind those who reject housing ‘We can no longer afford to “kick the can down the road” and hamper the efforts of the many people and departments working hard to address this issue. This is not a Parks problem. It’s a city problem, We need your support in helping to resolve this issue. Delaying improvements while waiting for an ideal scenario means one thing - lives will be lost. It also means this encampment will grow and continue to attract the problems that needlessly absorb our already limited resources. “Wis th mission of Meteo Parks ard Recreation to sustainably ad squtatly provide everyone in Nashvile with an noing taro parks ana greerways Pat ofr heath welness and quay ie tng recreation, conservation and community" 5 fORAAACCOMMODHTONS, PLEASE CoMTAcrers.at2- 400 WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERRespectfully, we ask Council members not to adopt the proposed Substitute offered by Councilmember Rosenberg, and instead to approve the ordinance with the previously submitted amendment now sponsored by Councilmembers Druffel and Hausser. Respectfully Submitted For and On Behalf of the Metropolitan Board of Parks Alwlutir 's Sen Dr. Michelle Steele, Chair