Recreation in Rutherford County: Fun in the Sun
Rutherford County’s parks, greenways and fitness facilities offer plenty of opportunities to keep active
If you’re ready for an adventure, look no further than Rutherford County. The community is home to dozens of family-friendly attractions – both indoor and outdoor – which means there’s something fun to do no matter the season. From pristine natural areas to miles of trails systems for activities like walking, jogging and cycling, there’s a wide range of green spaces for locals to enjoy.
Explore Outdoors
When the weather’s nice, there’s no better way to enjoy Murfreesboro’s great outdoors than to explore the city’s parks, many of which offer access to the 12-mile Murfreesboro Greenway System that borders the Stones River and Lytle Creek.
Spend a day exploring Old Fort Park, a 50-acre facility complete with a tennis complex and the popular Kids’ Castle playground. McKnight Park, which clocks in at 81 acres, also includes Sports*Com–an indoor/outdoor multipurpose sports and recreation destination that features an outdoor water park, Boro Beach–plus softball and baseball fields. There’s also Barfield Crescent Park, a massive 430-acre destination with more than seven miles of hiking and walking trails, an 18-hole disc golf course, a baseball/softball complex and an outdoor education and recreation facility called Wilderness Station.
Where is the largest indoor rock-climbing gym in Tennessee? It’s at Climb Murfreesboro, a 30,500 square-foot facility that has more than 16,000-square-feet of climbing space. Another favorite spot for Rutherford County climbers is The Ascent, a three-story climbing gym with both top-rope and bouldering walls.
“The Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department works every day to provide vibrant public spaces and inclusive programs,†says Angela Jackson, executive director of Community Services for the city of Murfreesboro. “From our Outdoor Murfreesboro programs to the Miracle League [that enables children of all abilities to play together], there are tons of ways to find recreation and adventure in our community. Our community centers offer classes led by qualified professionals, and our greenways and parks offer ample opportunities to explore.”
Embark on an Adventure
La Vergne has five parks, including Veterans Memorial Park, a 55-acre facility in the center of town that offers walking trails, a skate park, an in-line hockey rink, eight baseball fields and more. The community also lays claim to a large portion of J. Percy Priest Lake as well as Poole Knobs Campground, located along the lake and home to nearly 90 overnight campsites and a group camping area.
In Smyrna, locals have easy access to more than 800 acres of land dedicated to recreation. The town has 10 public parks, 12 miles of trails and greenways. Among them is Smyrna Greenway, which connects several parts of the community. The town also offers water attractions such as the Splash Pad at Gregory Mill Park and Splash Town, an aquatic complex that boasts a swimming pool with a rock climbing wall, three large water slides, a lazy river, a splash pad and sand volleyball courts.
Just steps from Splash Town is the 12,000-square-foot Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center, a must-visit attraction featuring a rock-climbing wall and other climbing structures suitable for both children and adults along with interactive exhibits and an art gallery displaying works from local artists.
“Smyrna makes recreation a priority for town citizens and visitors alike,†says Mike Moss, director of the Smyrna Parks and Recreation Department. “Present and past town council members along with town staff have consistently focused on the quality of life for the citizens, and that’s resulted in numerous park facilities for all ages. As a growing community, the town continues to meet the recreational needs of its citizens by constructing new facilities and maintaining the existing properties.”
