Combined $3.1 million investment will create new community spaces in Middle and West Tennessee
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation has announced the first three sites selected for 2022 BlueCross Healthy Place projects. Established in 2018, the BlueCross Healthy Place program provides communities across the state with spaces for connection and healthy activity. All BlueCross Healthy Places are free and open to the public.
The new projects stretch across Middle and West Tennessee. Collectively, they represent a $3.1 million investment from the foundation. In addition to construction dollars, each project also has a maintenance fund to assist with ongoing care and upkeep of the space.
The three communities selected include:
- Lawrenceburg (Middle) – BlueCross Healthy Place at Rotary Park
- Play areas for children ages 2-5 and 5-12
- Swing set
- Fitness stations for cardio, balance and strength workouts
- Pavilion with picnic tables
- Middleton (West) – BlueCross Healthy Place at Middleton City Park
- Play areas for children ages 2-5 and 5-12
- Swing set
- Fitness stations for cardio, balance and strength workouts
- Pavilion with picnic tables
- Red Boiling Springs (Middle) – BlueCross Healthy Place at Old Lake Road Park
- Play areas for children ages 2-5 and 5-12
- Fitness station
- Challenge course
- Artificial grass lawn
Play areas and challenge courses will be constructed with accessible poured-in-place surfacing for visitors of all abilities.
“We are excited to work with these communities to provide additional facilities and amenities for their residents,” said Chelsea Johnson, director of the BlueCross Foundation. “I’m looking forward to watching these projects come to life and seeing how the BlueCross Healthy Place program continues to benefit Tennesseans.”
To date, the BlueCross Foundation has invested $34.8 million in BlueCross Healthy Place projects across the state. Additional 2022 projects will be announced soon.
The BlueCross Foundation will accept proposals for 2023 funding throughout the month of August 2022.
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.