Since 1996, a small corner of Centennial Park has memorialized children who died from violence. Last year, the Children’s Memorial Garden was redesigned and expanded. The garden reopened on Tuesday with the engraved names of more than 200 children.
In this episode, we explore garden’s history, talk to those who have been maintaining it all these years, and the families of the children who are remembered there.
But first, early voting begins Wednesday at election offices across the state. One of the most competitive races is for Tennessee’s redrawn 5th Congressional District. WPLN political reporter Blaise Gainey joins us at the top of the episode with more on this race.
Guests:
- Blaise Gainey, WPLN political reporter
- Andrea Conte, founder of You Have The Power
- Kelby Smith, came up with the idea for the garden
- Regina Hockett, mother of 12-year-old Adriane Dickerson
- Debbie Gray, aunt of 9-year-old Crystal Faith
- Enid Price, grandmother of 3-year-old Paris Clark-Wilcox
Previous WPLN coverage:
- ‘Her story needs to be told’: A renovated garden in Centennial Park remembers children who died by violence
- The long-awaited redesign of Nashville’s little-known youth memorial garden wants to offer quiet respite for all at Centennial Park
- Democrat Heidi Campbell faces Republican Andy Ogles for Tennessee’s 5th District. Their opposing stances on abortion could shape the race.
- Democrat Heidi Campbell outpaces Republican Andy Ogles in District 5 fundraising
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