MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Murfreesboro’s newest park projects is officially underway. The City broke ground in late March 2025 on Veterans Park, a sprawling 153-acre community park located along Veterans Parkway near I-840… That was Murfreesboro Parks and Rec. Director Nate Williams. It will take about 500-days to complete the park, which places a possible opening date in the month of August 2026. Once open, the park will offer residents and visitors an expansive, inclusive space designed for recreation, relaxation, and even celebration.
Planning for Veterans Park began in July 2023, when the City Council approved master planning and design services with Nashville-based firm Gresham Smith. Director Williams stated… By December 2023, a $729,000 Task Order was approved to fund detailed design plans for Phase 1 of the project, supported by proceeds from the City’s General Fund and Middle Tennessee Electric (MED).
As the new park is being built, other parks operated by the city are not being left in the dust. The director of the parks told WGNS News…
The SportsCom outdoor pool, known as Boro Beach, will officially open for the season on Memorial Day… That was assistant parks director Thomas Laird. Again, the opening day for Boro Beach is on May 26, 2025 at 10 AM. There, families can enjoy a day of swimming, music, fun and prizes on opening day!
Meanwhile at Patterson Park, a splash pad is being constructed… Pushing buttons will activate water features on one end of the pad, as sprays of water shoot into the air when triggered on the opposite side of the splash pad. Ground-level fountains will also launch water upwards as children jump through the mist. Construction is expected to be complete by early fall.
Construction of the roughly 5,000 square foot splash pad should be complete by early fall. Once open, kids of all ages can enjoy a little fun in the water for free. Again, the splash pad will be a free park amenity to enjoy.
- Click HERE to hear our latest Parks Podcast.
MORE on VETERANS PARK in MURFREESBORO
Back to the new Veterans Park that is being constructed in the area of Veterans Parkway near I-840 in Murfreesboro... Reports indicate the park is designed for everyone in mind, no matter the fitness level. It’s a park for outdoor enthusiast of all ages.
Some of the features at Veterans Park include:
- A walking trail network
- Three covered pavilions
- Multi-purpose event area
- Hard surface courts for sports and recreation
- Expansive greenspaces and natural habitat zones
- And at its heart: a Destination Playground unlike any other
The park’s design also includes regenerative natural areas that showcase native prairie grasses, rock croppings, and preserved habitats, making it a haven for both wildlife and human visitors.
Adventure Awaits at The Destination Playground: At the center of excitement is the Destination Playground, where children of all abilities can explore, climb, slide, and imagine freely. One standout feature is a climbing dome made of webbed rope-like material and anchored to dramatic steel arches — a structure that promotes physical development and problem-solving through play.
A low ropes-style course brings adventure closer to the ground, offering children and even daring adults a safe yet thrilling challenge to cross without touching the “ground” — an area that is cleverly disguised as a blue padded surface meant to mimic water.
One area, almost resembling a giant Scrabble board from above, features a grid of 9 large squares, each made up of 36 smaller symmetrical squares. This “web of excitement” invites kids to bounce, crawl, or simply lounge from one end to the other in a space that turns play into a puzzle.
Inclusion is at the forefront of design. Smooth ramps connect play platforms, sensory panels spark curiosity, and safe surfacing made from non-toxic, modern materials ensures the wellbeing of all who visit.
From spiral pole climbs to winding slides, every detail of the playground is made to encourage active, social, and imaginative play in a space that feels like an outdoor wonderland.
A Community Investment: The land for the park was acquired through a property exchange with Middle Tennessee Electric, approved in June 2022. The transaction secured acreage along I-840 and Blackman Road for public use, with 95 acres dedicated to Veterans Park and additional space set aside for future community amenities.
Partially funded through MED proceeds and the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Veterans Park represents a significant investment in public green space and quality of life for Murfreesboro residents.
Veterans Park is not just being built — it's being imagined, from the ground up, as a place where Murfreesboro families will connect, play, and grow for decades to come.
