NFOCUS ARTICLE: Behind the Scenes With John Tumminello
Talking trees, books and bees with the president of the Centennial Park Conservancy
MEGAN SELING
JUN 2, 2022
John Tumminello was a fan of Centennial Park long before he became the president of Centennial Park Conservancy. In fact, the park is partly the reason he decided to pack his bags and move to Music City.
“I made the decision to move to Nashville while sitting on the banks of Lake Watauga, and seven years later, I was running weekly programs in the park,” he says. “Sylvia Rapoport hired me to manage the organization’s Musicians Corner program after its initial season. It was an incredible opportunity to use my business and creative skills in one position. I had the chance to serve as emcee for 148 events and even introduce legends like Emmylou Harris, The Blind Boys Of Alabama, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band; only in Music City!”
John isn’t alone in his love for Centennial Park. The 132-acre green space gets more than 3 million visitors every year, and that’s just the humans! Visitors will also spot dozens of different kinds of birds — from ducks and geese to belted kingfishers — as well as squirrels, chipmunks and hundreds of thousands of bees. (Don’t worry, they’re just there to make Centennial Park Honey, which is available for purchase through the park’s website and in the Parthenon museum store.) We caught up with John just as the park’s tulips and trees started to bloom to learn more about the park’s past and future.
Do you have a favorite little nook at Centennial Park? There is a swinging bench along the path around Lake Watauga with a great view of the Parthenon; it’s a perfect spot to relax and soak in the splendor of the park, and it was donated by two incredibly generous people.
Everything from first dates to proposals and weddings have taken place at the park and the Parthenon. Do you have any especially sweet stories of how the park has played a role in people’s lives? In the past year, 20 couples were married at the Parthenon. There were Sweet 16th and 65th birthday parties and even a baby shower for a child named Athena. It’s the most magnificent place in town to celebrate a special occasion. Once, someone planned a flash mob at Musicians Corner and proposed after doing a dance routine to the Bruno Mars song “Marry You.” Love does seem to bloom in Centennial Park!
Centennial Park has undergone some impressive updates in recent years. Currently underway is the park plaza and event pavilion. Can you tell us more about what that will be like when completed? We’re partnering with Metro Parks to introduce a pedestrian entrance from the 31st Avenue connector and increase access into the park from North Nashville. We’re also building an elegant event pavilion on Lake Watauga for parties, fundraisers and programs like the Big Band Dances.
When you have out-of-town guests visiting, where do you take them? The Parthenon and Bluebird Cafe are always the first two on my list.
What’s your favorite local restaurant? Since it opened, City House has been my favorite. My go-to menu item is the belly ham pizza (with an egg on top), and I never skip dessert; their cakes are the most delicious in town!
What are you currently reading or watching? My recent personal favorite is Miracle on 19th Street, a heartwarming documentary about a well-loved New York Santa with a 30-year legacy of spreading Christmas cheer (and he happens to be my dad). Being a father of a four year old, I read lots of bedtime stories, and my daughter is always thrilled when Dolly Parton sends her a book in the mail! What’s the one thing you hope never changes in Nashville? Its heart and soul.
Original Article can be found here.