A flood-wrecked Tennessee playground was $100,000 short. Taylor Swift paid the rest, and her signature still flies on its castle slides

When severe flooding hit Hendersonville, Tennessee, in May 2010, Kids Kingdom playground was left too dangerous for children to use. The community wanted to rebuild the much-loved park, but the project ran into a funding gap.

Pop sensation Taylor Swift stepped in with a big heart and an even bigger $100,000 donation, giving the project the money it needed to move forward. The singer’s contribution helped bring a familiar childhood spot back to life, with a new design that kept a piece of its original castle theme. The information is taken from reports by The Little Tikes Company and Landscape Architecture.

How did the Cumberland River flood damage Kids Kingdom

Kids Kingdom first opened in 1996 as a community-wide project. The playground had been underwater several times over the years but the May 2010 flood was far worse than earlier events.

The Cumberland River rose to 52 feet, leaving the park in such poor condition that Tennessee Parks and Recreation decided it was no longer safe for children. The city planned to tear down the old playground and rebuild it.

The work did not come cheap. Hendersonville Parks Director Dave LeMarbre expected the new playground to cost $175,000. Even with community support, the project was still $100,000 short.

That was when Swift, who attended high school in Hendersonville and lived there with her family, offered to help.

According to the Hendersonville Star-News, the singer had originally made her $100,000 donation to support the city’s flood relief efforts. Her business manager suggested using the money to rebuild Kids Kingdom and refurbish the city’s volleyball courts.

The city’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen was expected to vote on an ordinance accepting the donation at its September 14 meeting.

LeMarbre welcomed the unexpected support. "It's overwhelming," states Parks Director Dave LeMarbre. "We didn't expect that. We appreciate Taylor's donation as well as all the others who have stepped up."

What did Taylor Swift’s donation make possible?

The playground’s rebuild was about more than replacing damaged equipment. Designers at CPSI Mid-South Recreation, Inc. worked to preserve the spirit of the original Kids Kingdom while giving it a fresh look.

Little Tikes Commercial was selected as the playground vendor. The new structures kept the medieval castle theme, with engineered wood fiber, bright colors, spiral staircases and updated play features.

One familiar part of the old playground was kept: its arched entrance. The gateway now connects the original park to its new version.

The community’s role in creating Kids Kingdom was also set to remain part of its story. Plans called for plaques naming the 1,500 people who helped build the original playground. Another 150 clay handprints made by children were also due to be added.

A hometown gesture among other donations

Swift had supported her hometown before. In December 2009, she donated $250,000 to help schools she had attended across the country, including Ellis Middle and Hendersonville High School. Her brother Austin attended John Paul II High School.

She had also donated $500,000 to flood relief efforts in Nashville, a contribution revealed during a local telethon hosted by Vince Gill in May 2010.



The Kids Kingdom donation gave Hendersonville another reason to appreciate the singer’s generosity. A playground damaged by historic flooding could once again welcome children, while its castle-style entrance kept a link to the park’s beginnings.