Arlington

In landlocked Tennessee, waterfront property can be hard to find, unless you're in Lakeland— aptly named alongside the largest lake in Shelby County. Garner Lake was constructed in 1959 as the centerpiece of a now-defunct amusement park. The rides are gone, but amusement of a different kind— in the form of boating, fishing, swimming and sightseeing— has taken their place. Homes in Lakeland are more expensive than those in surrounding neighborhoods because of their lakefront location. Modern neo-eclectic homes on quarter-acre properties are priced between $500,000 and $800,000, while waterfront estates with private docks start at $700,000 and extend to $1 million. Farther from the lake, on the north side of the Loosahatchie River, subdivisions of modern stone-sided houses with open floor plans are priced between $450,000 and $650,000. Lakeland focuses on nature conservation even during residential development: several housing developments reserved up to 40% of their property as protected space for native flora and fauna, and most houses are densely grouped to avoid infringing on wild lands. The affectionately titled Lakeland Lake, more formally known as Garner Lake, is the neighborhood’s namesake. “A lot of these developments have lake privileges, not just the waterfront communities,” says Jolynna Morales, a Realtor with Groome & Co. “You can fish, and if you have a paddle board, you can bring it out there even if your property doesn’t back up to the lake.” According to the Garner Lake Association, a non-profit homeowners organization, residents of the following subdivisions hold exclusive access to Garner Lake: Lakeland Estates, East Shores, Windward Slopes, The Preserve, Long’s Landing and The Pointe. Aside from Garner Lake, numerous city parks offer a variety of amenities. Windward Slopes Park is an 11-acre park with a playground and two tennis courts, while Cool Springs Park features a picturesque 0.8-mile loop trail (local tip—visit at sunset for the best views) Plantation Hills Park has three acres of federally designated protected wetlands, Oak Ridge Park offers wooded 15-acre walking paths and International Harvester Managerial Park, located beside the Lakeland Senior Center, has a clubhouse, paved trails, a stocked fishing pond and picnic facilities. The IHM Park also includes the LAMP Amphitheatre, which hosts community events. Enjoy a round of golf at Lakeland Golf Course’s 18-hole championship course for even more outdoor fun. Summers are lively in Lakeland. The local government hosts a Summer Entertainment Series, a combination of family movies and concerts with a rotating schedule held at the LAMP Amphitheatre in International Harvester Managerial Park. Food trucks and vendors, including Memphis Dawgs and Southern Roasted Coffee, provide dinners and drinks during shows, while MemPops offers iced treats. On the Fourth of July, Garner Lake boaters decorate their vessels and parade around the perimeter, competing to win the best-decorated boat and most-spirited crew awards. After tying up together to share food and drinks, boaters watch the sunset and set off celebratory fireworks. Other lake events include BBQ cookoffs, fishing competitions, poker games and family-friendly water gun tournaments. For grocery hauls, Sprouts Farmers Market, Kroger and Aldi are located off Highway 64 in the neighborhood's south end. There’s also a Kroger off Highway 70 that is closer to residential neighborhoods in north Lakeland. After shopping, grab a sweet treat from Boba Society Milk Tea & Snack Bar, or enjoy a sit-down dinner at Villa Castrioti Lakeland, an Italian restaurant in the Lake District outdoor shopping center. The Lakeland School System was established in 2013 and receives an A grade from Niche. It offers enrollment from kindergarten through 10th grade but plans to expand through 12th grade by the 2025 school year. Students may attend Lakeland Elementary School and Lakeland Preparatory School, both graded A. For high school, students may attend Arlington High School, graded B+. “People who are looking for good public schools can find them in Lakeland,” says Morales. For even more events, shopping, and eateries, hop on I-40 and head to Memphis, 23 miles southeast of Lakeland. Waterfront views are rare in landlocked states, but a beachy escape is right here in Lakeland.