$750,000 investment from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation provides new community space
FARRAGUT, Tenn. — Residents of Farragut recently gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the BlueCross Healthy Place at Town Hall Park.
The Town of Farragut applied for the BlueCross Healthy Place grant with the hope of putting an inclusive playground in the available space behind Farragut Town Hall. Sue Stuhl, director of Farragut Parks and Recreation, said, “We are thrilled to receive a BlueCross Healthy Place. It will be a great addition to Farragut because it’s located in the center of town and will allow kids of all abilities to play together. It will be well loved and get lots of use.”
Grant applicants were invited to choose from six project packages based on the needs of their communities. Farragut selected the Thrive and Play package, and features in the new space include:
- Fully inclusive large play area
- Thrive fitness station
- Community pavilion
- Swing set and freestanding play
The Farragut project is one of 10 the BlueCross Foundation has funded in celebration of the company’s 75th anniversary, bringing the total statewide investment to $7.5 million for 2021.
Additional 2021 BlueCross Healthy Place sites include:
- Alamo: Crockett County High School
- Chattanooga: St. Elmo Park
- Johnson City: Kiwanis Park
- Memphis: Foote Park
- Shelbyville: H.V. Griffin Park
- Baxter: Baxter Seminary Park – currently open
- Murfreesboro: Barfield Crescent Park – currently open
- Woodlawn: Woodlawn Park – currently open
- Paris: Eiffel Tower Park – currently open
“BlueCross has always been focused on serving our neighbors, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our 75th anniversary than by giving Tennesseans more spaces to connect with one another and pursue healthy activities together,” said Chelsea Johnson, director of the BlueCross Foundation. “We look forward to helping these communities provide new amenities for all residents to enjoy.”
There are 10 BlueCross Healthy Places already open statewide, with more underway. With the addition of the new projects for 2021, 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 3.4 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.