$750,000 investment from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation provides new community space
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Residents of Chattanooga recently gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the BlueCross Healthy Place at St. Elmo Park.
The City of Chattanooga applied for the BlueCross Healthy Place grant with the hope of improving equipment and access in the well-loved community space.
“Our outdoor resources are Chattanooga’s greatest competitive advantage, and we are grateful to partners like the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation for the key role they play in opening up access to these resources,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. “Recreation bridges physical and mental health gaps in our community, and our efforts to build connectivity among our parks, neighborhoods and the river will pay off in a happier, healthier Chattanooga.”
Grant applicants were invited to choose from six project packages based on the needs of their communities. St. Elmo selected the Fitness and Fun package, and park visitors will enjoy the following features in the new space:
- Challenge course
- Fitness station
- Accessible play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12
- Swing set
- Community lawn
There are 15 BlueCross Healthy Places completed statewide, with more underway. To date, the BlueCross Foundation has invested $31.7 million in 17 community spaces across the state.
For additional information about the BlueCross Healthy Place Program, see BlueCrossHealthyPlaces.com.
About BlueCross®
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a taxpaying, not-for-profit health plan serving more than 3.3 million members in Tennessee and around the country. The Chattanooga-based company was founded in 1945 and has brought peace of mind to its members and local communities for more than 75 years. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company’s news center at bcbstnews.com.
About BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.
The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized to promote the philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. It has awarded $120 million in grants since 2005. The foundation provides funding for the BlueCross Healthy Place program, which creates active, healthy spaces across Tennessee.