Outdoor Interests: Wilderness in Williamson County
Recreational activities and fun for the whole family await in Williamson County.
In 2020, life as we knew it changed. With the global pandemic affecting seemingly every aspect of life, it was inevitable that there would be side effects – both positive and negative.
While social interactions and retail outings decreased dramatically, family time and outdoor adventures increased significantly. Tired of being cooped up indoors, many families took up hiking, biking and other outdoor hobbies to get some much-needed exercise, fresh air and family time. Williamson County offers countless opportunities for its residents to enjoy the outdoors.
In This Article
Hiking and Biking
Williamson County is ripe with options for avid hikers and cyclists, from the meticulously maintained Brentwood Trail System, which can be accessed at the Brentwood Public Library, to Natchez Trace Parkway, not to mention various park trails.
Crockett Park, Timberland Park and Marcella Vivrette Smith Park all offer incredible trails and greenways for residents to enjoy.
“Timberland Park is an extraordinary passive park,” says Kerri Hudson, public information coordinator for Williamson County Parks and Recreation. “Guests to the park are in awe of the beauty of the area and intrigued by the surrounding wildlife.”
Alexander Trail in Thompson’s Station features beautiful forestry and wildflowers. A bit shorter in length (1.4 miles), it’s a great, easy option for kids.
One of the more exciting new developments in Williamson County is the opening of a new mountain biking trail in Franklin. The first in the county, this trail system spreads across 4.72 acres of scenic, hilly land and features beginner and intermediate routes. In the coming years, there are plans to expand the trail to adjacent areas.
Family Fun
When it comes to outdoor recreation, a day spent at one of the parks in Williamson County is a must, especially for families. Younger kids can enjoy the playground while the older ones can play with a soccer ball or toss around a Frisbee.
Williamson County boasts an extensive 16-park system, further contributing to the family-friendliness of the county as a whole.
Plus, for families looking for a little adventure, they can head over to SOAR Adventure Tower, a 50-foot-tall, a 10,000-square-foot ariel adventure park that opened in Franklin in August 2015.
In addition to a vertical ropes course, SOAR offers an 18-hole mini-golf course with musical instruments and notes placed throughout the green.
Kevin and Colleen Vanderkolk opened SOAR and are the first people to bring this European-style ropes course to North America.
The more than 100 climbing elements available are keeping people of all ages entertained and eager to return.
For more information, visit soaradventuretowerfranklin.com.
Helping Out
The community in Williamson County truly bands together to ensure that the area’s parks are safe and in good repair. Friends of Franklin Parks, a nonprofit organization, works closely with the city and its parks department to help raise money for special projects. To learn more, visit friendsoffranklinparks.org.
Get the Facts
Ready for a quick hike on Alexander Trail? Here are a few bits of helpful information:
– Favorable for all skill levels
– Most enjoyable between February and October
– Dogs are welcome (just remember to bring a leash)
– 95% of Franklin residents rate the area’s park system as important to their quality of life
If you’d like to learn more about the Williamson County area, check out the latest edition of Livability Williamson County, TN.
