New Communication Board at Pinkerton Park Expands Inclusive Play in Franklin, TN
A new communication board at Pinkerton Park is helping make play more inclusive for children in Franklin.
The permanent installation, designed to support communication during play, was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting on March 26th, 2026. The event took place on a warm, sunny afternoon, with children playing across the park while families, local leaders, and community partners took part in the celebration. Mayor Ken Moore attended alongside representatives from Friends of Franklin Parks and the City of Franklin Parks & Recreation Department.
The project was led by Rise Up Therapies, a local provider of pediatric speech, occupational, and feeding therapy, in collaboration with the city and nonprofit partners. Together, the group worked to bring a practical addition to one of Franklin’s most visited parks, reflecting a broader effort to make public spaces more accessible.
How the Communication Board Works
Installed at Tinkerbell Playground within Pinkerton Park, the board uses visual symbols and simple prompts to help children communicate during play, offering a way to express needs, ideas, and emotions in real time. It is considered a low-tech form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), meaning it does not rely on electronics or devices and can be used immediately by anyone.
“It’s an option to touch and point,” said Janae Richter, Clinic Manager of Rise Up Therapies. “This is considered low-tech AAC, where they can just point to it. You also have high-tech options like communication devices or iPads, but this is something simple that anyone can use.”
AAC includes a range of communication methods, from gestures and sign language to picture-based systems and speech-generating devices. In this setting, the communication board offers an easy-to-understand option that fits naturally into how children already interact on a playground.
While communication boards are often associated with individuals who have speech delays, autism, apraxia, or other communication differences, organizers emphasized that the tool is meant to be used by all children.
“Obviously, the purpose is for kids who don’t have a voice so they can use it as their voice,” Richter explained. “But we definitely have kids who are typical speakers using it too. Communication is for everybody, and it just opens the door.”
“At Rise Up, we’re really passionate about helping our patients communicate in whatever way is best for them,” said Grace Ott, a speech-language pathologist with Rise Up Therapies.
How the Board Supports Communication and Play
For families unfamiliar with AAC, the concept may feel new, but its benefits are well established and increasingly visible outside of clinical settings. By placing the communication board in a public playground, the goal is to create more opportunities for interaction in a space where communication happens naturally.
“AAC does not hinder speech development,” Ott explained. “Rather, it supports and enhances a child’s existing communication ability.”
She added that the impact often extends beyond communication itself, helping children build confidence and form stronger social connections.
“I’ve seen children find their voice, build confidence, and connect more deeply with others when they’re using AAC.”
In practice, that can look like a child using the board to ask to join a game, express excitement, or share an idea with a peer. These small interactions can make a meaningful difference in how children engage with one another, especially in a busy, shared environment like a playground.
“This is a really incredible community and group to pull together for our kids,” said Loriann Schwartz, owner of Rise Up Therapies. “We really care about accessibility and giving a voice for kids and an opportunity to interact, even for those who are nonverbal.”
“Any kids can share over this communication board and communicate together with their friends and family,” she added.
By encouraging families to explore the board together, even without prior experience, the installation helps normalize different forms of communication while making the playground more welcoming for everyone.
A Collaborative Effort Across the Community
The communication board at Pinkerton Park was made possible through a partnership between Rise Up Therapies, Friends of Franklin Parks, and the City of Franklin Parks & Recreation Department.
“We’re just so grateful, truly from the bottom of our hearts,” said Michelle Wolford, Patient Care Coordinator at Rise Up Therapies. “None of this would be possible without the help of the City of Franklin Parks and Recreation Department and Friends of Franklin Parks.”
The project began with an idea from Rise Up Therapies and grew through collaboration with local partners who helped bring it to life.
“Friends of Franklin Parks is a nonprofit that exists to find partnerships within the community and enhance our parks and trail system,” said Executive Director Tori Barnhill. “This project came about when Rise Up brought forth a great idea and worked with the city to make it happen.”
Barnhill noted that this type of collaboration is central to the organization’s work.
“This is one small example of what partnerships in this community can do,” she said.
Accessibility as a Priority in Franklin Parks
During the ribbon-cutting, city leaders emphasized the importance of making public spaces accessible to all residents, noting that Pinkerton Park was a natural place to introduce the new communication board.
“We love our park system here in Franklin, and this is probably the most popular park in the entire system,” said Mayor Ken Moore, pointing to the park’s role as a central gathering place for families throughout the community.
That level of daily activity is part of what makes the location especially impactful. With so many visitors passing through the park each day, the addition of the communication board creates more opportunities for children and families to engage and interact in a shared space.
Mayor Moore noted that accessibility has become an increasing focus for the city in recent years, with efforts aimed at making public spaces more usable and welcoming.
“One of the focuses we’ve had lately is making sure that everyone can access our sites. This is a great step forward,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of partnerships in making projects like this possible.
“A city by itself can’t do everything that needs to be done, so partnerships like this are so important.”
Another Step Toward More Inclusive Parks
While similar communication boards have been installed in other parts of Middle Tennessee, this marks the first permanent installation of its kind in a Franklin park.
“We’ve done boards in Spring Hill parks and at the library, and the feedback has been super positive,” Richter said. “People tag us in posts all the time. It’s been really encouraging to see how they’re used.”
“This is just our first one in Franklin,” she added. “We can put these boards anywhere. Anywhere kids are, we’d love to collaborate.”
The timing also aligns with broader accessibility efforts across the city, including future projects like Ellie G’s Dream World at the Pearlene M. Bransford Complex.
“This is just a first step,” Barnhill said. “We’re looking at signage, interpretation, and the things that are very important to that park and this community.”
As Franklin continues to grow, projects like the communication board reflect a broader commitment to creating spaces where all children can participate, connect, and communicate.
“We’re looking forward to putting more up throughout the community and seeing how this one impacts people’s lives,” Wolford said.
