Good Neighbors: How Williamson County Volunteers Shape Their Community
It’s easy to enjoy the many perks Williamson County offers: safe neighborhoods, charming downtowns, great schools and tons of green space. But you may not realize how neighbors, local businesses, civic groups and towns work together to keep it one of the country’s top places to live.
By honoring its history and building for the future, county leaders actively invest in creating a great community for everyone.
“This is a very servant community, and people love to be involved in things,” says Lynn Tucker, executive director of the Williamson County Chamber Foundation and spokesperson for Leadership Brentwood, which has fostered the growth of community leaders from diverse businesses and organizations since 1991. “When we have an opening on our Tree Board in Brentwood, we always have people who want to serve. People want to be involved.”
In This Article
Here for the Long Run: Leadership Brentwood
Leadership Brentwood epitomizes the ideal coalition of businesses, volunteers, government and civic organizations.
Every year, a class of 20 members spends eight months diving into the community’s most pressing needs. Working in teams, they design and launch projects that make a lasting impact.
“We focus on something that is tangible and will be there for the long run,” Tucker says.
In its 33 years, Leadership Brentwood has mentored 550 leaders, logged 2.1 million volunteer hours, awarded $550,000 in youth leadership scholarships and raised more than $1 million for community projects.
Community Projects in Brentwood Parks
And those projects have made a significant difference. In 2026, program members commissioned a striking, aviation-inspired mural on the hangar at Brentwood’s Windy Hill Park.
Other notable projects include installing a special viewfinder at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park for color-blind individuals and planting a pollinator garden at the Brentwood Library.
Historic Resources: The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County encourages volunteers, donors, businesses and municipal government to partner with it to preserve its historic resources and guide their development.
Founded in 1967, the organization has evolved in many directions, from rescuing historic homes and commercial locations, such as the “old, old jail” (now the Foundation’s headquarters) in downtown Franklin, to saving 33 acres on Roper’s Knob, the city’s highest hill and a Civil War site, and rehabilitating the Franklin Theatre, a beloved part of Franklin’s past and now once again a lively entertainment venue.
A Breath of Fresh Air: Friends of Franklin Parks
Celebrating 15 years in 2026, Friends of Franklin Parks boasts plenty of success. Working closely with the Franklin Parks Department, it seeks to identify the needs of the city’s 1,025 acres of parkland to preserve and enhance them.
“Parks are important. They’re places where you can breathe,” says Katie Murphy, communications and outreach manager at Friends of Franklin Parks. “COVID had a really big impact on how people unwind. Once we were able to open up, we became so much more grateful for some wide-open spaces.”
With 95% of Franklin residents saying the city’s parks are important to their quality of life, there’s no doubt about it.
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm
Friends of Franklin Parks has largely restored and preserved historic Harlinsdale Farm, now The Park at Harlinsdale Farm. With the construction of the Tractor Supply Co. Arena, the park has become a hub for equine activities, including a popular rodeo.
The organization maintains its headquarters in the renovated Hayes House on the property – one of its signature projects – while the park now provides a vibrant backdrop for photos, picnics, social events, major music festivals and a colossal July Fourth celebration.
Ellie G’s Dream World: Franklin’s First Inclusive Playground
The organization is currently planning and fundraising for Franklin’s first inclusive playground, Ellie G’s Dream World. Leaders named the project for Elliot Grace Castro – known as Ellie G – who passed away at age 4 in September 2019.
The city expects to open the $3 million playground in 2028, featuring an all-abilities design within the new 3-acre Southeast Municipal Complex on Carothers Parkway. As with previous projects, this effort will involve corporate support, volunteers, individual donors and the city government all working together.
“Everything we do is about building partnerships,” Murphy says. “We depend heavily on volunteers and community partners. We are a little machine that gets big-machine work done.”
Get to Know Williamson County
Want to learn more about living and working in Williamson County, TN? Check out the latest edition of Livability Williamson County, Tennessee.