The news: Bartlett’s first fully inclusive playground is open at Shadowlawn Park, 4734 Shadowlawn Road E., next to Bartlett Ninth Grade Academy. And the city already has a next one in mind. Parks and Recreation Director Paul Wright told the Tennessee Municipal League’s Tennessee Town & City that the playground is in the eastern part of the city, so “we are definitely targeting something toward the west side for our next inclusive playspace.”

What changed at Shadowlawn: The playground is the centerpiece of a $1.5 million renovation that also brought resurfaced pickleball courts, a new restroom and concession building, accessible walkways and 50 new parking spaces. Features include accessible play pieces, slide transfer platforms, sensory panels, a large pipe xylophone and a ground-level communication board for kids who are nonverbal. The city cut the ribbon on Oct. 21.

Inclusive vs. accessible: Wright said all of Bartlett’s playgrounds are accessible, meaning you can get to the equipment, but none were inclusive, meaning designed so kids of every ability can use the space and play together.

How it got paid for: The 17.2-acre park opened in the mid-1960s under the Shelby County Conservation Board and was deeded to Bartlett in 2005. After the city’s 2024 parks master plan, Bartlett won a state Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant for accessible paths and restrooms, but bids came back about $500,000 over budget. The city redesigned the work, split it into phases and found more grant money to reach $1.5 million. Nine firms answered the playground RFP, and staff picked Cunningham Recreation.

Why it matters: The playground is a PlayCore National Demonstration Site. Visitors can scan QR codes to leave feedback, which Wright said the city will use to guide future playgrounds and make the case for more funding. He said Bartlett has 21 playgrounds, and 13 to 14 of them are in the roughly 20-year age range where they need replacing.

What’s next: Bartlett Growth reports more Shadowlawn work is planned, including updated ball-field lighting and fencing and resurfaced basketball courts. No site or timeline has been announced for the west-side inclusive playground.

Sources: Tennessee Town & City (Tennessee Municipal League), Nov. 2026; Bartlett Growth; Daily Memphian, Oct. 25, 2026.

Photo: City of Bartlett, via Tennessee Town & City.