Kids need to burn endless energy off and it’s always fun to explore somewhere new. These top Middle Tennessee playgrounds provide just the thing to do on any given day. Pack snacks, cold drinks and head out to explore these Nashville playgrounds with the kids. Note: Middle Tennessee has LOTS of playgrounds — this is just part I! The playgrounds are listed in no particular order.
10 Top Middle Tennessee Playgrounds
Photo: Friends of Mill Ridge Park
Mill Ridge Park
12924 Old Hickory Blvd., Antioch 37013
Opened in the summer of ’23, this massive, new park (the largest in Davidson County) includes a 52-foot slide that towers above the rubber-turf playground. Included are a spherical merry-go-round, jungle gym, towers, a basketball court and lots of green space.
The tower at Ravenwood Park, located in Hermitage. Photo: Metro Parks
Ravenwood Park and Playground
3401 Central Pike, Nashville
Hermitage, TN 37076
This lovely new playground that opened last summer includes a giant tower, two playgrounds, a merry-go-round, workout equipment, a basketball court and more. It coversewest on this list is a BEAUTIFUL and refreshing addition to the Donelson-Hermitage area of east Davidson County making Ravenwood Park one of the best parks and playgrounds in Nashville. There’s plenty of shaded area, too.
Photo: Blue Cross Healthy Place
BlueCross Healthy Place at Barfield Crescent Park
697 Veterans Pkwy.
Murfreesboro, TN 37218
Opened in 2021, and made possible through a grant from the BlueCross Healthy Place initiative. This fully accessible playground includes a large play areas for kids ages 2 – 5 and additional space for kids ages 5 – 12. Furthermore, there’s a swing set and freestanding play and climbing areas. Teens and adults will find a fitness station with a variety of equipment and instructional signage.
Photo: Blue Cross Healthy Place
BlueCross Healthy Place at the Northwest YMCA
3700 Ashland City Hwy., Nashville, TN 37218
This nearly three-acre inclusive playground 0pened in January 2022, also part of the BlueCross Healthy Place initiative. For all-ages, the playground includes a spongy ground surface for all abilities, a meeting area pavilion, an exercise track, a water splash zone, a pickleball/basketball court, a multipurpose field and two challenge courses.
Photo: Bowie Park Nature Center
Treehouse Playground at Bowie Nature Park
7211 Bowie Lake Road, Fairview, TN 37062
This beautiful playground opened in the summer of ’22, tucked between mature trees. The happy result of a community effort to upgrade the play space, there is separate equipment for older and younger kids. Included are a zip line, fire truck, merry-go-round, a climbing rope and slides. Beyond the playground there are ample picnic areas and parking is easy nearby.
Photo: Metro Parks
Centennial Park Playground
2500 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203
Centennial Park, home to the life-size replica of the Parthenon, boasts shaded walking trails and gardens, a large pond and a kids playground. Included are a jungle gym with small slides and climb-ons shaded by a large oak tree. Plenty of swings are available, too. To locate the park, see the map at left and look for the “H” in the white circle.
New playground equipment was installed at Fannie Mae Dees Park in 2024. Photo: Nashville Parent magazine.
The mosaic dragon at Fannie Mae Dees Park. Photo: Nashville Parent
Fannie Mae Dees (Dragon Park)2400 Blakemore Ave., Nashville 37212
The giant mosaic Dragon (aka sea serpent) has been in place at this park since the 80s. Kids climb on and around it and it provides ample space to sit. The newly updated playground has nice, bright equipment, although Lily’s Garden, special needs portion of the playground, appears to have been scaled back with ramps missing. The playground gets a lot of shade from adjacent trees and the fresh grass surface is a nice spot for a picnic.
There’s generous shade on the Miles Together Inclusive Playground located at Granny White Park in Brentwood. Photo: Nashville Parent magazine.
Granny White Park
Miles Together Inclusive Playground
610 Granny White Pike
Brentwood, TN 37027
The children’s playground is large and often busy, regardless of the season. There are two large jungle gyms that are geared towards different aged children. There are smaller shelters near by and plenty of swings, both for children and adults. There is a water fountain next to the playground.
Another angle of the clean and bright equipment at Miles Together Inclusive Playground in Granny White Park.
The Freedom Playground at Lee Victory Park in Smyrna. Photo: Smyrna Rotary.
Freedom Playground at Lee Victory Park
110 Sam Ridley Parkway E
Smyrna, TN
An all-inclusive playground that opened in 2021, Lee Victory Park actually has two playgrounds for sliding, climbing and playing nonstop. In addition to the playgrounds, the park contains a 1.25-mile walking trail, athletic fields and courts, concession buildings and restrooms.
The Planet Playground at Charlie Daniels Park. Photo: Mount Juliet Parks and Recreation.
The Planet Playground, Charlie Daniels Park
1038 Charlie Daniels Pkwy.
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
This fun playground located in Charlie Daniels Park includes climbing areas, swings, slides and more. It’s not a shaded playground except for the adjacent pavilion that includes picnic tables. Soft surfacing and mulch cover the area for safe play.
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