The Pearl: Franklin Launches New Park Project with Inclusive Playground and Athletic Fields
Groundbreaking Celebrates a Vision 10 Years in the Making
After more than a decade of planning, the City of Franklin officially broke ground on the Pearlene M. Bransford Complex on March 26, 2025. Previously known as the Southeast Municipal Complex, the site was renamed to honor former Alderman Pearlene Bransford’s lasting impact on the city. Known affectionately as “The Pearl,” the 233-acre park is located at 3452 Carothers Parkway on the city’s southeast side and promises to be one of the most inclusive and innovative public spaces in the region.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together city officials, community members, and family and friends of both Bransford and Elliott Grace Castro, the namesake of the inclusive playground. As heavy machinery stood by and shovels hit the dirt, speakers reflected on the community vision that brought the project to life.
Phase One: Athletics, Accessibility, and Nature
Phase one of the project includes lacrosse and football fields that will serve as the new home of the Franklin Cowboys Youth and Cheer Program. It also features Ellie G’s Dream World, a three-acre inclusive playground, an ADA-accessible riverwalk, restroom facilities, and passive natural areas surrounding Robinson Lake.
Future phases are already in motion and will bring even more features to the site, including basketball and pickleball courts, sand volleyball, an educational walking trail along the Harpeth River, and a clean water facility.
“This 233-acre space will never look the same after today,” said Lisa Clayton, City of Franklin Parks Director. “We’re about to transform it into something truly meaningful for our community.”
A Unique Partnership: Parks and Water Management
Clayton also emphasized that the project is one of a kind in its approach. “Normally, I’m here to talk about parks alone, but today is different,” she said. “For the first time, we’re combining two departments—Parks and Water Management—to create something that hasn’t been done anywhere else in the country.”
A central and innovative component of the partnership is the inclusion of a clean water facility on-site. In addition to providing critical infrastructure for the city’s growing southeast side, the facility reflects Franklin’s commitment to sustainable development and responsible resource management. Its location within the park illustrates how infrastructure and public space can coexist and serve the community in multiple ways.
Robinson Lake, an existing natural feature on the property, will be preserved as a tranquil space where people can connect with nature and reflect on Franklin’s natural beauty. “Every person here today has a place in this history. This park will be part of our community’s story for generations to come,” Clayton added.
Ellie G’s Dream World: Inclusion Through Play
One of the most anticipated features of The Pearl is Ellie G’s Dream World, named after Elliott Grace Castro, a young Franklin girl who passed away in 2019 from Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata, or RCDP, a rare form of dwarfism. The inclusive playground will allow children of all abilities to play together in one shared space.
“She was Franklin’s baby,” said Alderman Brandy Blanton, Elliott’s grandmother. “The support this community gave us—the love—was unmatched, and our gratitude will be forever.”
Tori Barnhill, Executive Director of Friends of Franklin Parks, called the project “a long-awaited dream” and announced the relaunch of the public fundraising campaign. “This is a place where children and adults of all abilities will have opportunities to experience the joy of play alongside their peers, making memories that will last a lifetime,” she said.
The safari-themed playground will feature a central “Tree of Life” play structure, alongside inclusive swings, a double zip line with accessible seats, a music area, fully accessible restrooms, and picnic areas.
The three-acre playground is designed with inclusive features so that “people can be in the same place and play at the same time—that’s what inclusive means,” Barnhill explained. A fundraising goal of $1.5 million is set to complete Ellie G’s Dream World, with nearly $900,000 already raised thanks to generous community donations.
To support the completion of Ellie G’s Dream World, donations can be made through Friends of Franklin Parks.
Honoring a Trailblazer: Pearlene M. Bransford
The park’s name honors Pearlene M. Bransford, a dedicated public servant and the first African American woman elected to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Bransford served four terms on the board before her passing in 2020 and was widely respected for her thoughtful leadership.
A former nurse and long-time advocate for education and public health, Bransford brought both professional insight and personal compassion to her role in city government. She quietly championed initiatives that supported underserved communities, always putting people first in her work.
Her extended family and former colleagues were present at the groundbreaking—proud and moved to see her legacy honored in such a meaningful way. Their presence reflected just how deeply she was loved, not only by her community but by those who knew and worked alongside her.
“Pearl taught me a lot,” Alderman Blanton said. “She listened just as much as she spoke. And when she did speak, it was important and passionate. She was a force for education, healthcare, diversity, housing—everything that made this community better.”
Pearlene’s sister, Mary Jones, added, “This complex truly reflects who Pearl was—not just to Franklin, but to our family. It honors her leadership and the bold steps she always took.”
“Pearl was a trailblazer from the beginning,” said sister Virgie Matthews. “This park is the legacy she always hoped to leave. It says, ‘I fulfilled my purpose.’ It’s a final tribute that says, ‘Job well done, Pearl.'”
A Park for Generations to Come
Construction on The Pearl will take several years, but the groundbreaking marks a meaningful step forward. Once complete, the park will reflect the values of inclusion and community that both Pearlene Bransford and Elliott Grace stood for—offering a shared space where everyone feels welcome.
“If you think this is good,” Clayton said with a smile, “wait until the ribbon cutting!”
