Parks and Green Spaces Offer Room to Roam
Enjoying the outdoors is easy in Rutherford County, where green spaces, parks and scenic walking trails abound. One of the most popular places for folks to reconnect with nature is the Murfreesboro Greenway System.
"The Greenway has 10 miles of asphalt trail, and it's open to walkers, joggers, runners, rollerbladers and bikers," says Angela Jackson, program coordinator for Greenway and Wetlands with the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department. "A good portion of the Greenway runs along [the] Stones River, so there are paddling opportunities in canoes and kayaks as well."
The Greenway's purpose goes beyond providing a venue for health and fitness in a natural setting. Because its trails connect parks and neighborhoods, the greenway offers a healthy, active way for people to get from one place to another.
"We encourage people to use the Greenway for transportation to work or elsewhere, and I know several people who do," Jackson says. "There's also a community linkage aspect. Several annual events and activities take place along the Greenway that bring people together."
Mothers of preschoolers meet at different trailheads along the Greenway every Thursday morning for Strollercoaster, where they power walk together for an hour while pushing their children in strollers. And in June, the Greenway hosts the annual Small Fry Tri, a triathlon for preschoolers.
"It's a very cute event," Jackson says. "They run, bike and swim, but for biking and swimming, they ride their tricycles and run through sprinklers."
Other annual events along the Greenway include Boat Day in July, Butterfly Days in August, the Greenway Arts Festival in September, the Fall Harvest Hayride in October, and Barkaroo, a festival for dogs and their owners in November.
In 2009, the City of Murfreesboro expanded the Greenway by adding 2.2 miles of trails through the newly developed Middle Tennessee Medical Center campus. The Gateway Trail extension included the construction of a manmade pond and island, which is the location of a new reception center that can be rented for corporate events and private parties.
Another outdoor attraction is the Murfree Spring Wetlands, a 25-acre oasis with boardwalks, an amphitheater, water features and a playground.
"It's a unique pocket of nature in the center of town," Jackson says. "There are wonderful opportunities to see ducks, turtles and other animals."
Smyrna and La Vergne also boast numerous places to bask in the great outdoors. Smyrna has 10 parks, and La Vergne has five.
"Our most popular park is Lee Victory Park," says Mike Moss, director of parks for the Town of Smyrna. "It's 40 acres, and it has something for everyone – picnic areas, a walking trail, ball fields and playgrounds."
Smyrna's Gregory Mill Park is also a draw with its historic dam, walking trail and kid-friendly Splash Pad.
"Sharp Springs Natural Area covers 360 acres and has a lot of trails, disc golf, picnic areas and four fishing ponds," Moss says. "People love to get outside, and we have lots of great places for that."
Boaters flock to public boat launches on J. Percy Priest Lake at Long Hunter State Park, and Murfreesboro's Old Fort Park has 16 new, lighted tennis courts in the works. The county is also home to six golf courses.
"As Rutherford County becomes more urban, it's even more important to carve out green spaces – places for citizens to reconnect with nature and their environment," Jackson says.
