Temporary fence installed along Cumberland River to improve downtown Nashville safety

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A temporary fence now lines the stretch of the Cumberland River where Nashville authorities said Missouri college student Riley Strain fell in and drowned earlier this year. According to city leaders, this barrier can keep people safe until a permanent solution is approved.

Crews recently put up a chain link fence lining parts of the Cumberland River along Gay Street. Metro Councilmember Jacob Kupin pushed for this safety measure.

“Our goal is to be the safest city in the country, right?” Kupin said. “We want people to say, ‘We’re coming to Nashville because it is so, so safe,’ and it’s already safe, but we want to take that to that next level.”

He said the idea about the chain link fence came to him after Strain fell into the river and drowned nearly four months ago.

Strain’s disappearance got nationwide attention as crews searched for the college student who was visiting Nashville with his fraternity. His body was found in the Cumberland River on March 22.

“One death is one too many, and if there’s anything I can do to prevent something happening in the future, I’m going to do it,” Kupin told News 2.

Strain’s toxicology report showed that his blood alcohol levels were more than twice the legal limit for driving, and he also had Delta 9 in his system. 

Several months later, a similar situation happened. A New Jersey woman fell down a nearby embankment after getting separated from her friends during the early morning hours on July 25.

First responders used a helicopter and a drone to look for the woman, even finding her shoes and cell phone down the embankment. However, just over five hours after she was reported missing, a detective spotted her climbing up from the riverbank with scratches and lacerations.

News 2’s crew was there when she climbed out.

Kupin said the idea is to have a permanent fence replace the chain link one.

“I want people to access the river; I want them to see the river,” Kupin explained. “I’ve talked to [Metro Parks and Recreation] about cutting back the brush so that you can see [the river] better, putting up decorative fencing so it looks pretty, things like that.”

Kupin also supports getting the nonprofit Red Frogs USA to Broadway. The group provides water, snacks, and assistance to people who get too hot, too cold, or too intoxicated.