$750,000 investment will revitalize community space
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Representatives from the City of Memphis and the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation recently broke ground on the BlueCross Healthy Place at Foote Park.
BlueCross Healthy Places are designed to strengthen communities across Tennessee by providing neighbors with spaces for connection and healthy activity. The BlueCross Foundation is investing $750,000 in the project at Foote Park, including $650,000 for the build and $100,000 in a maintenance fund.
Representatives from the BlueCross Foundation, the Memphis Housing Authority and the City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development were in attendance.
The Memphis Housing Authority applied for BlueCross Healthy Place funding and shared the following in their submission: “The park will serve as an important point of connection tying South City and the I Am a Man Plaza to the downtown Memphis area. It will activate existing green space, helping to further transform once neglected, blighted grounds to a gathering and recreational space for residents and visitors.”
This is the second BlueCross Healthy Place in Memphis, following the David Carnes Park project in Whitehaven. When completed, the space will feature:
- Large play area
- Thrive fitness station
- Swing set
- Freestanding play and climbing areas
The play area will be constructed with accessible poured-in-place surfacing for visitors of all abilities.
To date, the BlueCross Foundation has invested $34.8 million in BlueCross Healthy Place projects across the state. There are 17 projects open statewide with more on the way.
For more on 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.