Celebratng 50 years of community with Sports Illustrated and NRPA

Parks & Recreation, Nov, 2003

BARTLETT, TENN.

Little City, Big Heart for Sports

Nestled in the southwest corner of Tennessee, Bartlett is a small suburban town of only 10,500 in the greater metropolitan area of Memphis. There's no chance, however, that Bartlett will be overshadowed by its bigger sister-city, at least not in its distinction as Sportstown, USA. In an area of less than 20 square miles, Bartlett is a well-planned city of parks, trees and greenways. There are 25 city parks, scattered within walking distance of every neighborhood in Bartlett, including more than 16 miles of walking trails, creating a green, fitness-friendly town.

It would be hard to find a small town that has focused more attention and resources on fitness recreation and sports than Bartlett has. For proof, look no further than the $5.5 million, 55,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Bartlett Recreation Center, which opened three years ago. Nothing has been overlooked in an effort to provide every Bartlett resident access to every imaginable fitness and sports resource, with an aerobics studio, weight room, racquetball and wallyball courts, basketball and volleyball courts, an eight-lane lap pool, treadmills, elliptical trainers, recumbent and upright bikes, and spin cycles. Residents can't use small children as an excuse not to get involved--there's an on-site childcare facility available for parents with young children. Plans are already in place to add an outdoor pool and several tennis courts.

Bartlett hasn't stopped there. The city has renovated both its Singleton Community Center, which is home to the arts including the physical arts such as dance and martial arts, and its Senior Center, catering to the needs of Bartlett's growing retirement population. For the icing on the cake, Bartlett has just opened a new $1.2 million, four-field, multi-use ball complex, concession area and conference center.

Recreation classes start kids early for a fit life with programs designed for children as young as three years old, with a huge array of activities for ages six to adult. There are challenge ladders and both league and non-league play to satisfy every competitor from youth to adult. Bartlett Recreation Center just hosted its second annual Kids Triathlon for children seven to 15, featuring age-appropriate competition in the traditional swim/ bike/run event.

Don't know how to play? Need a personal trainer? Want to study a martial art or yoga? Certified coaches, trainers and teachers are on hand for each activity. Every Bartlett coach has been trained and certified by the National Youth Sports Coaches Association, and knows the importance of fair play, team spirit and good sportsmanship. In addition, every personal trainer and teacher is certified in his or her specialty. Continuing education is required of all coaches and teachers so that each staff member remains informed and professional.

In Bartlett, no one is a bench warmer. Every player gets a minimum playing time, including a full quarter in basketball, a defensive inning and one at-bat in baseball, and at least eight points in a volleyball game. This inclusiveness demonstrates just one aspect of a deeply committed philosophy of sportsmanship, respect and understanding apparent in all of Bartlett's recreational programs and teams.