Located just south of Nashville, Franklin is a beautiful town with a historic past and a promising future. The city was founded in 1799 and serves as the county seat of Williamson County. Franklin has won many awards and honors over the years, including “Best Southern Town” and a top “Business-Friendly City.” In August 2020, the city was given one of the ten “All-America City” awards in the United States. Franklin has also been recognized by the National Civic League for its inclusive efforts toward promoting health, well-being, and strong relationships among residents, businesses, and local leaders.
New residents of Franklin will quickly learn that history is a huge part of the town – so much so that the city has become a popular tourist destination. One of the most notable historic sites is the “Battle of Franklin,” where one of the largest Civil War battles took place over 150 years ago. To learn more about Franklin’s rich history, go to visitfranklin.com or head to the Visitors Center in downtown Franklin. The city offers free, self-guided walking tours, such as the African American Heritage tour and the Tennessee Civil War Trail.
One of the most recognizable features of Franklin is its beautiful downtown. With Victorian architecture and historically restored buildings, Historic Downtown Franklin is frequently filled with residents and visitors alike. One of Franklin’s notable buildings, the Franklin Theatre, was recently renovated into a brand-new music venue. Downtown Franklin includes 15 blocks of antique stores, gift shops, boutiques, and restaurants. The city also hosts several annual festivals in the downtown area, such as the Main Street Festival, a Fourth of July celebration, PumpkinFest, and Dickens of a Christmas.
Franklin offers many city services and amenities for its residents. All homes and businesses receive free garbage pick-up, and recycling pick-up is also provided for homes. For public transportation, residents can ride the bus or trolley throughout the city for a small fee. For a route map, visit www.franklintransit.org.
Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department offers many recreational sports for both adult and youth residents. Learn more at their website, www.WCParksandRec.com. There are also several independent youth sports associations throughout the city. Grassland Athletic Association, www.PlayGrassland.com, offers a variety of youth sports such as baseball, basketball, softball, and volleyball. If your child is interested in football or cheerleading, sign up at www.FranklinCowboys.org. For baseball, the Franklin Baseball Club, www.FBCbaseball.org, has over 1,600 participants every year.
Throughout Franklin, you can find 18 different parks with amenities such as walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing ponds, and more. These parks are all maintained by the City Parks Department. One of Franklin’s most notable parks is the Park at Harlinsdale Farm, located at 239 Franklin Road. With over 200 acres of land, the park has a four-acre dog park, a three-acre catch-and-release fishing pond, a 5k soft-turf track for walking and running, and an equestrian trail. For athletic fields, check out Jim Warren Park, Liberty Park, and Fieldstone Park. The parks of Franklin are also the stage for a variety of events and festivals throughout the year. These include movie nights, music and arts festivals.
Another favorite feature of Franklin is the Harpeth River, often used for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The city offers several access points to the river. For more information about parks and recreation in Franklin, visit www.FranklinTN.gov.
Cheek Park (Joel Creek Park)
Claude Yates Drive
Baseball field, soccer fields, playground, walking trail, concessions
Fly Park
3620 N Chapel Road
Softball fields, meeting room, pavilion, concessions
Judge Fulton Greer Park
1120 Fulton Greer Lane
Tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, soccer fields, playground, outdoor walking trail, pavilions
Timberland Park
Mile Marker, 437.2 Natchez Trace Pkwy – Location: Access the Natchez Trace Pkwy from Hwy 96 W. At the top of the ramp, turn south (left) onto Pkwy. Park is on right
Interpretive center, hiking trails, ADA accessible trail, RV turnaround
Trinity Park( Cecil Lewis Park at Trinity)
3680 N Chapel Road
Youth baseball fields, soccer fields, playground, walking trail, pavilion
Williamson County Soccer Complexes-East & West
1874 Downs Boulevard
Soccer fields, playground, walking trail, pavilion
Wilkins Branch Mountain Bike Park
5664 Wilkins Branch Road
156 acres of hilly and wooded land
Dedicated mountain bike park includes miles of single-track trail consisting of beginner through advanced flow and downhill trails. Phases one and two of development feature 13 trails over approximately 6 miles.
Aspen Grove Park
3200 Aspen Grove Drive
14 acres
Large covered pavilion with built-in barbecue pit, .8 mile walking trail that loops around park and Spencer Creek, playground
Bicentennial Park
400 5th Avenue N
Greenway, overlook of the Harpeth River is a great location for fishing
Collins Farm
418 Lewisburg Pike
3 acre historic park near the Eastern Flank Battle Park and Carnton Plantation
Carter Hill Park
1259 Columbia
1 acre historic park is a monument to the Assault on the Cotton Gin during the Battle of Franklin
Del Rio Park
1100 Del Rio Court
Neighborhood park in Rogersshire Subdivision
Gazebo, playground and picnic table with grill
Dry Branch Storm Water Basin
7001 Moores Lane
6 acre passive and rustic park
Natural walking path with interpretive signage and view corridors for bird watching, native trees and foliage
Fieldstone Park
1377 Hillsboro Road
37 acres
2 large pavilions, 4 adult softball fields, playground, grills
Fort Granger Park
113 Fort Granger
14.5 acres located behind Pinkerton Park
Walking trail leads to an overlook of the south part of the city. Surrounding the perimeter of the site are trenches dug by Civil War Troops.
Pinkerton Park
405 Murfreesboro Road
34 acres
A pedestrian bridge connects downtown area with Pinkerton Park, 3 pavilions, 1 mile walking trail, Tinkerbell playground, children’s playground, grills
Jim Warren Park
705 Boyd Mill Ave
58 acres
2 pavilions, 12 lighted baseball fields, 4 football fields, 2 multi-purpose fields, 2 playgrounds, 8 tennis courts, 2.5 mile walking trail, catch and release pond, outdoor basketball court, 16,000 sq. ft skatepark
Liberty Park
2080 Turning Wheel Lane
85 acres
3 tournament play baseball fields, 10 hole disc golf course
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm
Main Entrance 239 Franklin Road or North Entrance 331 Franklin Road
200 acres of rolling farmland
4 acre dog park, 3 acre catch and release fishing pond, 5k soft turf track for walking or running, equestrian trail
Winstead Hill Park
4023 Columbia Ave
61 acre historic battle site
¾ mile walking trail, Civil War Monument
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