Just Askin': Does Nashville have public pools?

Chris Gadd, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

Editor's note: You got questions? We got answers. Just Askin' is a Tennessean initiative that answers your burning questions about Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Created by our nosy newsroom of Nashville reporters.

Question: Why doesn’t Nashville have public pools?

Answer: Well, actually it does. Plenty of them. Nashville Metro Parks has pools that are free, as well as aquatic centers that charge admission — such as Wave Country and Centennial Sportsplex. These space can be fun, relaxing and connecting. (This question originated with a reader.)

Although their history isn't so pretty. Decades ago, public pools separated Nashville residents.

There is history of Nashville’s public pools closing — and not reopening — during the Civil Rights era of the 1960s. More on that below.

Public pools, spraygrounds

Jackie Jones, the superintendent of community affairs with Metro parks, points out that Nashville’s multiple pools — located at regional centers — offer free admission during open swimming and lap swimming times. You don't need a membership to swim.

Jones said there are fees for swimming classes and groups at all pools.

She touted the city's spraygrounds, which Jones said are very popular during the summer, and also free:

Kirkpatrick Sprayground, at 620 S. 9th Street and Watkins Sprayground at Jo Johnston Avenue at 17th Avenue North. Hours for both locations are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m during weekdays and on weekends. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Evelyn Lillard, wife of the late Kwame Leo Lillard speaks during the unveiling of the Centennial Park Swimming Pool marker at Centennial Park in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
Evelyn Lillard, wife of the late Kwame Leo Lillard speaks during the unveiling of the Centennial Park Swimming Pool marker at Centennial Park in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

Civil Rights and pools

The year was 1961.

The city closed its public pools in response to two young African-American men using a segregated pool in Centennial Park (now the location of the Centennial Arts Center) — the late civil rights activists Kwame Lillard and Matthew Walker.

A few days later, the city closed its pools, and they remained closed for three years.

Five years ago, the Centennial Park Conservancy and Metro Parks explored the park’s past during a symposium titled, “Wade In These Waters.”

List of public pools

Decades later, Nashville has 10 public pools. Most are free to use. Here are the pools that Metro Nashville parks list on its website:

Coleman Regional Center384 Thompson LaneNashville, TN 37211615-862-8445

East Regional Center600 Woodland StreetNashville, TN 37206615-862-8448

Hadley Regional Center1037 28th Avenue NorthNashville, TN 37208615-862-8451

Hartman Regional Center2801 Tucker RoadNashville, TN 37218615-862-8479

Cleveland Community CenterNorth 6th Street at Vernon WinfreyNashville, TN 37207615-862-8444

Looby Community Center2301 Metro Center Blvd.Nashville, TN 37228615-862-8454

Napier Community Center73 Fairfield StreetNashville, TN 37210615-256-4474

Rose Community Center1000 Edgehill AvenueNashville, TN 37203615-862-8465

Pools that charge:

Centennial Sportsplex222 25th Ave. NorthNashville, TN 37203615-862-8480

Wave Country2320 Two Rivers ParkwayNashville, TN 37214615-885-1052615-885-1092

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Just Askin': Does Nashville have public pools?