$4.8 million investment will add new amenities to popular community space
DAYTON, Tenn. — Representatives from the City of Dayton and the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation recently broke ground on the BlueCross Healthy Place at Pendergrass Park.
Pendergrass Park is a municipal park located off Main Street in Dayton. The city applied for BlueCross Healthy Place funding in the hopes of bringing additional amenities to the space and making it a gathering place for residents of all ages.
BlueCross Healthy Places are designed to strengthen communities across Tennessee by providing neighbors with places for connection and healthy activity.
The BlueCross Foundation is providing $4 million for the project build and an additional $800,000 for a maintenance fund, bringing the total investment to $4.8 million.
“The City of Dayton is excited about the BlueCross Healthy Place at Pendergrass Park, and we are looking forward to the addition of new equipment and improvements to the space,” said Mayor Hurley Marsh. “It will be great to have an inclusive and accessible facility here in Dayton that everyone can enjoy.”
Keith King, manager of the BlueCross Healthy Place program, added, “We are excited to partner with the City of Dayton on the revitalization of Pendergrass Park, and we look forward to adding new amenities to this popular space that will encourage even more residents to visit.”
Features in the new space will include:
- Ramped, accessible play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12
- Splash pad
- Fitness area
- Pavilions
- Benches
- Restrooms
The play area will be constructed with accessible poured-in-place surfacing for visitors of all abilities.
To date, the BlueCross Foundation has invested $51.2 million in BlueCross Healthy Place projects across the state. There are 19 projects open statewide with more on the way.
The BlueCross Foundation will accept proposals for 2023 funding throughout the month of August 2023.
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 3.4 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.