From wooded trails and open green spaces to playgrounds and preserved natural areas, Franklin parks play a key role in shaping daily life for residents and visitors alike. Friends of Franklin Parks is the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, enhancing, and advocating for these treasured spaces through stewardship, education, and community involvement. As Franklin continues to grow, their work ensures that nature remains accessible, protected, and thoughtfully integrated into the city’s future. In this Q&A, we sit down with Friends of Franklin Parks to learn more about their mission, the impact they’ve made so far, and the projects and initiatives shaping the next chapter of Franklin’s outdoor spaces.
What inspired the organization's founding?
The roots of Friends of Franklin Parks stretch back more than fifteen years and grew from a shared belief that parks and trails could play a defining role in shaping Franklin’s future. That vision took a meaningful step forward in 2010, when members of the 2009 - 2010 Leadership Franklin class developed a proposal to create a Franklin Parks Foundation. The goal was simple yet powerful: to promote the expansion and improvement of public park land throughout Franklin. Under the leadership of Julian Bibb, Leadership Franklin and Franklin Tomorrow embraced the concept and, in 2011, created a subsidiary known as Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC. The organization was designed to receive tax-deductible donations in support of public park projects. As the work and impact grew, leaders from Friends of Franklin Parks and Franklin Tomorrow agreed that a standalone organization would best serve the community. In 2015, Friends of Franklin Parks, Inc. was formed, and in early 2016 the original LLC merged into the new nonprofit, which also secured its 501(c)(3) status. This milestone allowed Friends of Franklin Parks to expand its reach and deepen its partnership with the City of Franklin.
What are some of the organization’s most impactful projects or improvements to Franklin parks in recent years?
Friends of Franklin Parks’ first flagship project, the Tractor Supply Co. Arena at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, opened in 2016. This multi-purpose arena welcomes a wide range of equestrian events, including hunter jumper, dressage, polo, walking horse shows, and even a rodeo. The project marked the return of horses to the historic 200 acre property and became the first major initiative fully envisioned and completed by Friends of Franklin Parks. With nearly $1.5 million raised, the arena brought to life the Parks Master Plan goal of restoring
and bringing horses back to the park.
In 2016, Friends of Franklin Parks launched its first Raise the Roofs fundraiser to support the restoration of Harlinsdale’s historic Main Barn. The effort raised $400,000 through donations and a small grant. In 2025, supporters and community members gathered beneath the fully renovated barn for the first time. Friends of Franklin Parks also developed interpretive signage, allowing visitors to learn about the site’s history while enjoying the space.
Friends of Franklin Parks led both the design and funding of the trailhead, working in partnership with the City of Franklin’s Parks and Engineering departments and local attorneys. Friends of Franklin Parks, the Chestnut Bend Homeowners Association, the City of Franklin, and Williamson County collaborated to establish a lease and maintenance agreement that made the trailhead and pedestrian bridge across the Harpeth
River possible. Connected directly to the bridge, the trailhead creates a vital pedestrian link from downtown Franklin to the Park at Harlinsdale Farm. The project added approximately one mile to Franklin’s trail system and created a connection between Bicentennial Park and the Park at Harlinsdale Farm.
Built in 1899, the Hayes House was named after the Hayes family. Harlin Hayes was the general manager of Harlinsdale Farm during its height of popularity, including the legacy of Midnight Sun, the two-time World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse born on the property. When the City of Franklin acquired Harlinsdale Farm in 2005 and opened it as a public park two years later, the house remained largely untouched for many years.
While early repairs prevented further deterioration, full restoration was not possible until Friends of Franklin Parks stepped in. Through thoughtful preservation and community support, the Hayes House has been lovingly restored with era appropriate details, original wood floors, carefully sourced wallpaper, and a recreated 1950s kitchen floor inspired by vintage linoleum discovered during renovation.“For over 100 years, the Hayes House has been a special part of Franklin’s agricultural history,” says Dr. Monty McInturff, founding board member of Friends of Franklin Parks. “Now it has been preserved so our community can come learn about this historic horse farm.” Friends of Franklin Parks raised $1.7 million to complete the project. In May 2025, the Hayes House opened to the public for free tours. In addition to serving as an educational museum, the house and adjacent event lawn
now host community events, arts festivals, fundraisers, and rotating exhibits featuring local artists.
How do you identify priority areas or needs within the parks system when planning a new project or initiative? How do you work together with the City of Franklin?
Friends of Franklin Parks works closely with the City of Franklin and relies on several focused committees, including the Harlinsdale Committee, Riverwalk and Trails Committee, and Special Projects Committee. These groups help identify needs, evaluate opportunities, and ensure projects align with both community priorities and city planning efforts.
Can you describe a project that had strong community involvement—either through volunteers, fundraising, or public feedback—and how that shaped the outcome?
One of the most visible examples is Franklin’s Fourth of July celebration at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm. In 2016, the same year the Tractor Supply Co. Arena opened, Friends of Franklin Parks partnered with the City of Franklin, which provides the fireworks, to expand the event into a true community gathering. Friends of Franklin Parks organized live music, food trucks, sponsors, and volunteers. Nearly ten years later, the celebration draws record breaking crowds of more than 12,000 attendees, with volunteers remaining essential to
the event’s success each year.
Are there any upcoming park expansions, renovations, or new amenities that community members should be excited about?
Franklin’s first inclusive playground, Ellie G’s Dream World, will be located at the future Pearlene M. Bransford Park. Friends of Franklin Parks has raised close to $1 million through community support and has contributed a $200,000 gift to the City of Franklin to help jumpstart the next phase as playground equipment begins arriving onsite. The playground is designed so that all equipment can be enjoyed by people of every age and ability.
Recently, Friends of Franklin Parks presented a $100,000 check to the City of Franklin. Mayor Ken Moore shared, “The City of Franklin loves the partnership we have with Friends of Franklin Parks, and it is even better today with a $100,000 check to go toward Ellie G’s Dream World.” To date, nearly $1 million has been raised toward this effort.
How can local residents and businesses get involved—whether through volunteering, sponsorship, or advocacy—to support park improvements?
Friends of Franklin Parks exists for the community and because of the community. From volunteering and sponsorships to advocacy and attending events, every form of engagement helps ensure Franklin’s parks continue to thrive. Perhaps the simplest and most meaningful way to support Friends of Franklin Parks is to enjoy the parks themselves.
Looking ahead over the next few years, what are your long-term goals for Friends of Franklin Parks, and how do you hope the parks will evolve for future generations?
Looking forward, Friends of Franklin Parks is focused on strengthening connections between people, places, and green space throughout Franklin. Key priorities include completing Ellie G’s Dream World, expanding and improving trail connections, and continuing the thoughtful restoration of historic park assets so they can be enjoyed and understood by future generations. Beyond physical improvements, the organization is committed to supporting programming that encourages leisure, wellness, and community gathering across all ages and abilities. The long-term vision is for Franklin’s parks to remain welcoming, accessible, and rooted in the community, places where families gather, history is shared, and future generations create lasting memories.
FriendsOfFranklinParks.org
“For over 100 years, the Hayes House has been a special part of Franklin’s agricultural history,” -- Dr. Monty McInturff, founding board member of Friends of Franklin Parks