You can now find the latest information about the BlueCross Healthy Place program on a new, easy-to-navigate and interactive website, BlueCrossHealthyPlaces.com. This new website makes it easy to find a BlueCross Healthy Place near you and learn about recent projects.
“The BlueCross Healthy Place program continues to grow with spaces open and in progress across the state,” said Chelsea Johnson, Director of the BlueCross Foundation. “We’re excited to make this new resource available to our communities.”
There are currently 10 completed spaces and seven more projects under construction statewide.
In 2018, the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation launched BlueCross Healthy Places as its new signature cause. The program is creating spaces across Tennessee where our neighbors can get to know one another and enjoy healthy activity. The first project, the BlueCross Healthy Place at David Carnes Park in Memphis, was completed in 2019.
The foundation invested $5.4 million in the revitalization of David Carnes Park, developed in partnership with the City of Memphis and local residents. Recent projects have varied in size and scope, but all are transforming their communities.
In celebration of the company’s 75th anniversary, the BlueCross Foundation invested in 10 new BlueCross Healthy Place projects, including one at Baxter Seminary Park.
In their grant proposal, the City of Baxter said, “This park will be the first and only of its kind in Baxter and will serve this growing community and its visitors for years to come.”
What’s on the site?
If you’d like to find a BlueCross Healthy Place in your area, you can use the site’s interactive map and search by zip code. To find out more about an individual project, click on “Learn more,” and you’ll get the full details of the space, including features, photos, directions, hours of operation and contact information.
When you visit the website, you can also learn more about the program’s mission, its impact and the team that supports it. You can even watch videos about projects.
Government entities and non-profit organizations can get information on how to apply for a BlueCross Healthy Place project, including guidelines, key considerations and timing. The BlueCross Foundation holds an annual request for proposals (RFP) each August to accept grant applications. When the RFP is active, the site will provide access to the application portal.
What’s next?
Applications are closed for 2022 funding, but the BlueCross Foundation will accept proposals for 2023 funding next August.
The BlueCross Healthy Place at Town Hall Park in Farragut is scheduled to open later this week, so keep an eye out on the BlueCross News Center and company social media channels to see photos from the grand opening.
Several more 2021 project selections are also on track to open soon:
- BlueCross Healthy Place at Crockett County High School (Alamo)
- BlueCross Healthy Place at Kiwanis Park (Johnson City)
- BlueCross Healthy Place at H.V. Griffin Park (Shelbyville)
- BlueCross Healthy Place at St. Elmo Park (Chattanooga)
The 2022 project selections will be announced early next year.
Katie joined the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee corporate communications team in 2020. As a Chattanooga transplant, she has experience in brand journalism, social media management and employee communications.