The 2010 floods that sent the Cumberland River 52 feet above normal levee levels left Hendersonville’s Kids Kingdom playground in ruins, prompting a $100,000 donation from Taylor Swift, the city’s native singer.
Reconstructing the damaged play structures, costing about $175,000, was stalled by funding gaps. Swift’s largesse bridged that gap, enabling replacement while preserving the castle theme and the iconic arched entrance.
City officials filed a $3 million grant application with the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Healthy Place program in August 2026, targeting an all‑inclusive playground at Kids Kingdom and turf upgrades for Memorial Park’s lacrosse field.
A local mother of a child with a mobility impairment told reporters that the new playground would bring her family hope and a chance for her son to play alongside peers.
If the grant is approved, construction could begin in early 2027, delivering a fully accessible play area for children of all abilities.