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Middleton Celebrates Opening of New BlueCross Healthy Place

$1 million investment from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation provides new community space

MIDDLETON, Tenn. — Residents of Middleton recently gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the BlueCross Healthy Place at Middleton City Park.

The City of Middleton applied for the BlueCross Healthy Place grant with the hope of improving equipment and access in the well-loved community space. The BlueCross Foundation has invested $863,245 in the project build and $170,649 in a maintenance fund, bringing the total investment to just over $1 million.

“Our playground equipment had become very outdated. Some of it was purchased shortly after the land was acquired in 1974,” said Jimmy Simpson, Middleton city administrator. “It is so nice to have such a major upgrade after 48 years, and we are very appreciative to the BlueCross Healthy Place program.”

Park visitors will enjoy the following features in the new space:

  • Play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12 with accessible, poured-in-place surfacing
  • Three fitness stations for cardio, balance and strength workouts
  • Swing set
  • Pavilion with picnic tables

There are 15 BlueCross Healthy Places completed statewide, with more underway. To date, the BlueCross Foundation has invested $34.8 million in community spaces across the state.

The BlueCross Foundation is accepting proposals for 2023 funding through the end of August.

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 3.3 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.

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